Chp. 7 Be Efficient and Integrate Basic Skills

I also agree with Regie when she said, "We've been overfocused on standards, rubrics..." on p. 141. I know that I have always wondered what was the best way to teach writing as well as engaging the students at the same time. The more that I read this book and have been to Tamara's Writing Workshops at ESSDACK this school year, I am feeling more comfortable in the way that I am incorporating writing into my curriculum without just focusing on a specific trait and teaching from whole-part-whole. My students and I are now excited to write everyday!

Voice- "Voiceless writing is like soup with no seasoning," p. 147. I agree with this quote, but I do find voice to be one of the more challenging traits to perfect with students. It does tend to be more evident when a student is writing on a topic that they are really engaged in, and I believe that many of my students are making progress as we continue to write. As a teacher, I need to do a better job of when we are celebrating writing to point out voice when I hear it, as well as pointing it out during our class read aloud and reading groups.

Revising-The pages on revision were helpful, but it is something that is still very difficult for my 3rd graders to do on their own. They seem to be able to revise with me during shared writing, but it hasn't carried over to their own writing as much yet (looks like we need to continue to focus on this during our shared writing time as well as me modeling revising my own writing in front of them). They still believe after they reread it that it is just perfect!

I also liked the list of Proven Strategies for Writers Who Struggle on pgs. 169-172.

Chp.6- Reading-Writing Connection

I also agreed with Regie on the importance of the reading and writing connection and how integrating them can result in higher test scores. After reading this chapter, I knew I had to try to get my schedule changed so that my two students that left every day during writing time for intensive reading assistance would no longer have to miss out. I'm proud to announce that my mission is accomplished! Even though we do write at other times in our day, they were missing out on some specific writing skills.

The written response to reading ideas on p. 125 were also helpful. I can see how the students
writing book blurbs and placing them in the room somewhere would benefit both the reader and the writer. I would like to try this. The students really do value their peers opinions.

Oh, I also enjoyed Gary Paulsen's simile, "Read like a wolf eats..." My students would love this since they are always listening for similes as we ready orally.

Another good chapter!