For this week’s reading, I chose to read Chapter Two: Best Practices in Implementing a Process Approach to Teaching Writing. A few different aspects of this chapter stuck with me. For example, “Students compose more text when they are members of a positive, nonthreatening social climate in which they write frequently” (p. 31). I agree with this statement, based on personal experience. Teachers should definitely address the emotional issues that surround writing. In my opinion, classrooms should have a fun, relaxed, and enjoyable environment. Students should feel comfortable in their surroundings and not be afraid to take risks and push themselves as learners. If writing is emphasized and fun for students, they will be much more apt to write well.
The second chapter I chose to read was Chapter 4: Best Practices in Developing a Writing across the Curriculum. The first thing that stood out to me was once again, foreign language was left out of the entire picture. English Language Arts was mentioned, as well as sciences, social studies, and even math, but not foreign language. Foreign language is often left out when it comes to “all content areas.” I think part of the reason is that all schools do not necessarily teach a foreign language, but I also think that many people still believe foreign language to not be as important as the other content areas.
During my student teaching and long term sub position, I incorporated writing as often as I could into my French class. When learning a language, reading, writing, listening and speaking must all be practiced in order to learn it. One example of writing in my classroom was that I had my students write letters to students in France to get to know them. They asked them questions and also wrote about themselves. The audience was real and my students knew they were writing for a purpose and had fun while doing it.
Writing gives students a chance to express themselves and I believe it is necessary in all content areas. Although it may seem hard to incorporate in classrooms such as science, page 83 has a list of different types of writing. “Writing” doesn’t necessarily mean writing narrative essays. Note-taking, reporting, summarizing, analyzing, journal writing and creative writing are just a few examples that could be used (p. 31). The more often students write, the better writers they will become. Especially in the older grades, only writing in English class is not good enough for our students. Each teacher has to find ways and time to somehow include writing in their lessons, for the benefit of the students today.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteForeign language, the arts, athletics, electives....they are always left out of the picture. I've learned, too, that schools who are forced to make cuts have begun ridding business teachers, too. For so many of our students, it is the additional learning of languages, sports, and the humanities that saves their school experience. I am in full agreement with you.
Writing across the curriculum, thinking across the curriculum, and reading across the curriculum are all active verbs. An individual doesn't grow from the limitations of a few subjects.