Saturday, January 19, 2013

Saturday Sayings: A Little Messy (Special Guests Too)



I really like this quote, especially the second half. "One could say, in fact, that the first goal is for children to write bad persuasive letters - and to do so with with confidence, zeal, purpose, pleasure, and above all, independence."  Like she said, this is true of any new writing unit, not just persuasive writing.  

We writing teachers have permission to put pens into our writers' hands before they even know what they're doing, with the expectation that it won't be pretty.  If the expectation is that their first attempts will be bad, then there shouldn't be any fear of jumping right into the midst of things.  I believe we do a disservice to writers if we wait until we've taught all the finer points of a genre before letting them try or we give them artificial writing experiences with handouts or worksheets before they're allowed to write in context.  Writers learn to write by writing, so the goal should be to get them writing from day one of any unit.  We needn't fear for the kids' sakes.  They don't know it's messy.  We as teachers are the ones who fear the start of a unit and the bad pieces that will fill their writing folders for a few days.  We must let go, and let them write.

I'll be starting my persuasive writing unit soon.  I've no doubt that when I send them off to write after my first mini-lesson, the majority of them will write rather bad persuasive pieces, but they'll do it with confidence, zeal, purpose, pleasure, and independence.  Goal accomplished!

I am thrilled this morning to send you off to visit some of my favorite blogs.  Lori, Barb, Jenny, and Laurie are joining me today with their own Saturday Sayings.  I know that you won't be disappointed when you take a few minutes to pay them a visit.  Be prepared to love what you read!

Conversations in Literacy
Lori

Barb

Jenny
Laurie
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33 comments:

  1. Love, love this! They can't improve until we let them try the real writing out. I agree it can be messy at times, but then we really have something to show for how far they have come! Thanks Tammy for allowing me to join you and the other ladies today!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. Lori, yep so true. You can't really see their growth if they never get a chance to write and write badly no less. Thanks so much for joining me today!

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  2. Thank you for the wonderful reminder. I found I wasn't giving my first graders enough time to write this year. When we returned in January I began writing centers. It has quickly become their favorite time of day:)
    Maria
    First Grade Carousel

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    1. Maria, my kids love any extra writing time throughout the day too. Writing is important enough to find time to do, huh?

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  3. Thank you for this! I sometimes feel frustrated with first attempts. You've helped me see them in a whole new light. We're going to write persuasive letters in the coming weeks, too. Your post will help me be more excited about first attempts!!
    Jenny
    Thanks for letting me join in!

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    1. Jenny, those first attempts can sure be frustrating, but there's something wonderful about the way this quote approaches them. It inspires me as well! (I'm so very glad you joined up again!)

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  4. So true Tammy!
    We need signs in our rooms that say: "Beware, it gets messy in here." (but it might be scary for those who don't know what we mean.)

    I like getting messy, because when it's all done, the reconstruction is beautiful, and we writers all celebrate what we were able to accomplish.

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    1. Marie, just wondering if you have a blog? Tried to find you but couldn't. But I loved your google+ profile, so just thought I'd ask :)
      Barbara
      Grade ONEderful
      Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    2. Marie, yes it's time to welcome the messy knowing that it does turn out wonderful in the end.

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  5. What a great quote! We all struggle with first attempts! I like the part about confidence and zeal! Sending them off to write and accepting a first attempt will surely mean another happy try and better writing!
    LiteracyMinute

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    1. Sandi, you're very right. It's up to use to pull of the kind of delivery that sends them off thinking that they know what they're doing. :)

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  6. This is a timely quote for me to read today because I've been struggling a bit with my writing this year. My kids are into it but I'm having a hard time with the mess. I think it's important for the kids to find that happy balance between making a mess as the learning takes place, but being conscious of the good habits that also need to be instilled. Does that make sense?
    Thanks for inviting me to join you today, Tammy. Loved it!!

    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Barb, yep you make sense. For me that's the beauty of a daily writing workshop time that little by little turns what seemed once very messy into something that by the end looks very much like what the teacher hoped it would...for most kids, that is. I'm so glad you joined me today Barb. :)

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  7. This is great food for thought. I sometimes get upset because my kids' writing isn't all that great but I have to remember they are just starting out on the adventure of writing. Thanks for reminding me of that. I think that probably applies to all new things we begin in all subject areas. off to read some more saturday sayings.
    Ms. Kerri and her Krazy Klass

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    1. Kerri, their approximations can be a little frustrating at times, huh? Their progress when given the time to write every day though is worth the moments of frustration. :)

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  8. Just write...somebody should put that on a Nike Swoosh.

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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    1. Laurie, ahhh great idea! (I happen to be the biggest Nike fan, so this is a perfect idea.)

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  9. Great quote with great word choice! Zeal, confidence, pleasure, independence.... :)

    Bridget
    Literacy Without Worksheets

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    1. Bridget, I agree. Those are great words to describe our writers!

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  10. Tammy,
    I am forwarding this post to my team!
    We can all benefit from these words of wisdom!
    Julie
    First Grade Critter Cafe

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    1. Julie, oh thank you for sharing this with your team. I'm honored. :)

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  11. My kiddos will be starting persuasive writing next week. Thanks for the reminder that it might not be pretty to start with. This is my first year teaching writing (it was a special before) so I'm learning, just like they are.
    Sara

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    1. Sara, I'm new to persuasive writing, so I feel like a new teacher in this genre as well. I've a feeling that my kids and I will be figuring it out together, just like you and yours! Good luck!

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  12. The writing process reminds me of watching a promo for "The Biggest Loser"; in the beginning clips, the participants are winded, weak, and/or a bit whiny. Hmmm, that also descripes my kindergartners when we begin a new writing challenge!

    Great thoughts, Tammy!
    ReadWriteSing

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    1. Chrissy, and at the end of the show, they're all so proud of what they've accomplished, even though it wasn't always pretty. Thanks for sharing the analogy! :)

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  13. So true...my 8th graders are writing persuasive essays on a Amendment, and the first battle is just getting them to put ideas down. I'm working on format now...but without the courage to put the words down first, it doesn't happen.

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    1. Jennifer, hopefully if we teachers in the lower grades do our jobs well, your future 8th graders will be more prepared to write persuasively by the time they come to you!

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  14. Great quote as always, Tammy! Children & adults need to feel they CAN do it. AS teachers, it is our job to make sure our students feel they are more than capable of doing something new.

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    1. Connie, you're so very right. Belief is big, and if we can pull that off, we're on to something good!

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  15. I just found your blog through Laurie's link-up! What a great idea to host a Saturday Sayings. I'm feeling so inspired after reading Barb's and Laurie's! So glad I found your blog! I'm a new follower!!

    Kate
    Second Grade Sparkle

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    1. Kate, thanks for coming by. I'm glad that you've been inspired. That's my hope for these Saturday Sayings!

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  16. I love your Saturday Sayings. I have been working on How to Writing. I find myself too often assuming my kids know more than they really do. I have been doing a lot more modeling and guiding before they go on their on. This seems to be helping. We will try a How to this week with a lot less help. Thanks for the great posts!

    Christa
    sweetlifeofsecondgrade

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    1. Christa, I'm finishing up how-to writing this week. They sure did come a long way from the first time they tried. You're right though. A lot of modeling is involved.

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