Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Group 10- Justin Materna- Writing in the classroom
Today in class we had a discussion within our table regarding writing in the classroom, and how often our cooperating teachers have the students write during classroom time. I was suprised to hear that many of the classes rarely do in class writing. Currently my cooperating teacher has the students writing one story a week. He does usually have to guide them by giving them some sort of topic to write about, but the topic is really broad and the students have quite a bit of freedom. My question is, how important do you feel writing is in the classroom? I personally feel it is an essential part of education, and should be done often. I also feel the students enjoy it, it gives their creative minds a chance to work, and for at least one part of the day they are in charge of what they are doing.
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I just happend to be in that discussion at the table on Wed. I haven't seen my cooperating teacher do ant type of writing exercises in the classroom. I have heard her mention that a book report is due, but no actual writing is done in the classroom. I also feel that writing in the classroom is very important. It not only gives them the freedom to write freely to express their thoughts and feelings but to also expand their imagination and creativity. I think giving a topic to them is also a good idea. Either way, it is a good way for the students to practice their writing skills.
At Pahrump Valley High School where I teach, our entire focus this year is on Writing Across the Curriculum. All staff members are to incorporate writing into their classes be it math, physics, spanish or whatever. Students need practice and refreshers on writing skills in high school. They are required to pass the High School Writing Proficiency Test to graduate with a standard diploma. We find many cannot pass this test and need multiple tries at the test. It seems many students have forgotten the writing skills they were taught in elementary school which is unfortunate. We try to do as much writing in high school as possible in some of the classes. All students in English classes 9-12 are required to write a research paper as well.
Something that professor Kaalberg said realy stuck with me as a music teacher: he stated that reading is like excercising at the more you do it the better you get at it. When I teach piano or any other musical instrument i tell my students to practice a little bit everyday and this shows vast improvement in their skills. I'd imagine that writing a little bit everyday with a specific goal in mind would most likel acheive the same effect so I am a BIG of writing consistently.
I believe that writing is an essential part of the elementary curriculum. I think that students should have a 40-50 minute writing block 4 out of 5 days. I think that students should have freedom with some of their writing assignments. I think they should have a very broad topic with few limitations on some of their assignments, but I also believe they should be comfortable with structured assignments that do have specific tasks and requirements.
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