Saturday Sayings: My Promise

Recently my school's instructional coach asked our staff to ponder Lucy's question.  She asked each of us to make a Writing Bill of Rights, so to speak.  While I have no idea how others reacted to her request, I was thrilled.  It's a conversation we've needed to have for a long time now.  I'm anticipating what the teachers at each grade level will say  and what enlightening shifts can be made due to future discussions.  Making my list was easy.  Here's my promise to each parent. 

I promise that...  

• there will be a structure or plan to your child's writing time.  It will begin with a mini-lesson, followed by time to write, and finished with an opportunity to share and celebrate what's going well. 
• Every mini-lesson will teach them something they can try in their writing that day. 
• I will give your child feedback.  I will acknowledge what they're doing well and nudge them to try something that will hopefully improve them as writers, not just improve the piece they're currently working on.
• your child will be constantly writing during writing time.  There will be no waiting for me to read everything they write.  When they finish one piece, they'll start another.
• your child will write for a variety of authentic audiences.
• your child will frequently see me model the writing process.  They will also share the writing process with me as the class writes together.
• your child will study the work of mentor authors.
• your child will experience writing a variety of genres.
• your child's use of conventions and spelling is important, but their ideas and content will be valued first.

Amen.  

(Did I miss something?)