Week 5: Unit Beginnings

We've begun our work in earnest--week five is upon us!
Students are busy in class learning about and exploring parts of speech, the writing process, and description. We continue our work with nouns, their cases and functions, as well as the art of using specifics to create vivid pictures for our readers. Students are also delving into the active world of verbs this week, which will take us into subject and predicate review next week. As we explore the worlds of these two very important parts of speech, we'll use our knowledge of them to connect readers to memorable events, people, places, or items within our descriptive essays. Building our observations and memories into our first essay is no small feat--description can be one day-old cookie sometimes. So to ensure that all students can transfer their knowledge of this rhetorical method into their own writing, we'll be doing numerous prewriting, brainstorming, and drafting activities in class. Don't be surprised if you see students taking notes as they observe the world around them.

Writing Knows and News

What do you know about writing? Some of our experiences with writing shape how we think and communicate long before we realize those experiences were helpful or hurtful. Have you learned to become fearful or apprehensive when it comes to writing because you just don't know where to start? Or, do you embrace your pen every day and dive into your journal, poems, or stories to escape the drum of everyday life?

After students read a few short texts on the benefits of writing well, beginning with a positive attitude, opening up to the practice of writing, and letting themselves go, I wondered what old ideas about writing pervaded the texts AND what ideas were new to them. Here are their responses...

Why Improve Writing?

Here are student responses to the question "Why improve your writing?" Students were also encouraged to think about "Why improve your communication skills?" after exploring the benefits of building writing skills, writing well, and having a head for clear, effective communication. Insightful and dead-on 21st century necessary realizations about writing in the world today! Nice work!

Parent/Teacher Conference Night

Thanks to all the parents who came to Spaulding's Parent/Teacher Conference Night on Thursday, September 16, 2010. I really enjoy meeting my student's parents and showcasing student work, so it means a lot to me that you made time in your busy schedules to stop in to visit. Fundamentals of Writing course work has many challenging and not so challenging aspects. As a result, I think it's important for parents to recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of their students within the work I showcase--there is no better way to do this than face-to-face. For those of you who did not make it, rest easy. I am happy to meet with you at convenient times; please don't hesitate to contact me to work out a meeting date and time.
In the meantime, checking in on this blog will also let you know what the whole class is exploring and allow you some conversation starters with your student.

Welcome!

It's hard to believe week three of the 2010-2011 school year has come and gone! Progress reports went home with students today, and as I look over a number of materials students have explored, created, and submitted, I realize I have lots to update you on. So, although I would prefer to have posts in some chronological order to our course work, I should be realistic in knowing that what I will post in the next few days will be work and reflections on work that we completed in the past weeks. In any case...Welcome to Fundamentals of Writing blog!