I mentioned in Chapter 7 that teachers should help students revise their writings. This chapter explains more of the purposes of a writing conference.
- Listening
- Affirming
- Reinforcing
- Assessing
- Teaching
- Scaffolding
- Setting goals with students' input
I like how the chapter explains important points to discuss to make a conference productive. I know there are many times when I have met with students and have felt like what did they take with them from that meeting?.
I know my goal at the end of any writing assignment is to allow and encourage independence. I want my kids to push the limits. The only way for them to become more independent is to teach them how. I spend a lot of time working on when to write and a little time on how to write. My goal for next year is to provide more productive conferences that will encourage better writing.
I enjoyed reading about your goal for next year. I feel the exact same way. Sometimes I feel like I'm just trying to cram writing into our day, and do not have time to sit and conference with children. I need to make an effort to enhance the conferencing so that the students get something out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think conferencing is the hardest part to work in, and after this chapter I, too, feel much better equipped to incorporate into class writing time and to seize on those teachable moments that arise naturally. I think students will be more willing and enthusiastic to revise and rewrite after meaningful conferences, and that is definitely a good thing. Just letting them know they are on a good track, with a nudge to clarify here or there, keeps them engaged and feeling good about what they're doing while being actually constructive at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI have had students write a lot, but felt like I haven't done much in the way of getting back to them on their writing before now.