During week 4 I had Lisa Smith come into my class for my first observation. Instead of her observing me I took the opportunity to have her teach so I could observe her. Her lesson is below. During her lesson she modeled how to use the hand plan, rehearsal and the start of the writing session.
Hand Planners
Have example pocket with each so students can grab to see examples.
What writers do?
- Generating ideas = what do I want to say?
- What shape will it be? Text type
- How does one of these usually go?
- Rehearsal
Personal Narrative
1 minute by self - plan
- Set the scene
- What happened
- What happened
- What happened
- Round it up
Elaborate - think, say, feel
Workshops when starting writing
Work with stronger writers first
Get models of writing
So what?
Writing is still a major focus at Southwell in all levels. This year we have Lisa working with us to help improve our programs. The students wrote for 15 minutes with Lisa - and then they were so engaged I let them write for a further 15 minutes once she left. Most - if not all students - completed in excess of a page of writing. This has been an issue with writing for many years now - getting students to write enough. This is one of the goals this year - writer's endurance. Seeing the students engaged for this time is something that is encouraging for me and something that I will be working on throughout the year to get them prepared for writing in high school.
Now what?
I need to figure out what I want to try in class - and not go too big. At times I bite off more than I can chew and I want to make sure what ever my goal is I believe it is achievable and will make a difference. My first goal is to make some 'Hand Planning Wall Charts'. Not only will they serve as a reminder for my class during the rehearsal phase, but they could be useful for many classes around the school.
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