My blog's improvements mirror how we strengthen, deepen, and alter writing instruction by adding a more personalized dimension and/or beefing up teaching points. In conspiring with a colleague today about ideas for next year's writing workshop, a familiar strategy for mining writing territories showed up with a facelift. Most everyone is acquainted with Carl Anderson's work helping students dig up writing topics they know and care about (more details available in his conferring bundle---awesome!) and then listing off these territories to provide writing inspiration. Well, here's a facelift...Katie Wood Ray-style!
On a crisp, new writer's notebook page students outline his/her hand. Inside, on fingers and palms, students list special memories about significant things they've touched. Hmmmm. What a great visual support for young writers...and, it's sticky too...it's purpose and usefulness will long remain!
I really want to put myself in students' shoes when teaching new strategies. My teaching is more authentic and nuanced that way. So, here it goes --- I'll give it a try. Here are the contents of my hand list:
- The first time I touched my sweet newborn son in the hospital...
- The first time I felt my baby kick from within me...
- When I gave my hand in marriage...
- When I super-glued my thumb and pointer finger together (accidentally!)...
- When I hand-mix my family's favorite meatloaf...
Then...are there other strategies you could extend and/or update with a facelift? Maybe add a personalized spin? Maybe update for functionality's sake? Look back through your teaching repertoire and try out a few high-utility strategies. Feel free to share what you create in the comments section!! :)
Write on,
b
Lovely list. This is a strategy that I used awhile ago & am happy to be reminded. Thanks for the inspiration (I posted my latest on my blog).
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