Week 10- Assignments 1-3

Assignment #1

Discuss the components of an effective writing program and why they are important. 

 

The three components discussed are personal connections, writing conventions, and inventions.  Personal connections are important because it is important to bring the lives of the students into the classroom.  It is imperative for them to personally connect. One type of writing that fosters this is personal narratives. It is also important to give them a choice in regards to the literature they write about or connect to such as ‘kid-culture’ text.  The next component is writing conventions- especially at the discourse/text level.  Teachers need to make sure that conventions are addressed to each individual’s needs rather than to only to the whole class.  It becomes more meaningful for each student when approached this way.  It is advised not to work on more than two conventions at a time- so as to not overwhelm the students.  The last component is inventions.  There is room for students’ original ideas and choice.  Experimenting  with formats give students a chance to invent.

 

How might you rearrange your schedule to create more time for students to write in general and, in particular, for students to write about their personal experiences? 

Giving students more choices during quick-write time or even during “in-between” time can create more time for students to write in general and about personal experiences.  Although it wasn’t officially writing time during class, the students were given the freedom to work on their personal narratives whenever they chose.

 How can you create ways for students to make personal connections in different subject areas through writing? 

We can create ways for students to make personal connections while encountering literacy through the content areas such as social studies and science.

 How can student work help you decide which conventions to teach? 

When a teacher individually conferences with a student about the writing pieces, he/she can collect data that will determine which conventions the students have the most difficulty with.

 When can you promote student inventions and experimentation with different formats in writing?

When students are given a choice, they are able to experiment with different writing formats.  These formats include accordion books, as well as shape books.

Assignment #2

What factors support student growth in writing? 
Giving students different opportunities to write, support student growth in writing. Writing to children, with children, and by children promotes growth.

 How does a personalized response encourage students in writing?

Students who are discouraged and don’t feel confident during writing need personalized response to encourage them.  The students’ development improves.  When teachers react to the message of the writing piece, they acknowledge students as writers with ideas that need to be expressed.

  What changes might you consider based on Professor Ruiz's comments and the classroom examples? 

I might consider giving my students more opportunities to write in response to different text types they encounter. Different text such as personal narratives, biographies, kid culture text, etc.

Consider the opportunities you provide for student discussion before writing.

How could you increase those opportunities? What kinds of writing exercises lend themselves to discussion? 

The more they talk, the more students express themselves. I think opinion and persuasive writing lend themselves to discussion.  When students can make a personal connection to a topic or text, then there is more opportunity for them to express opinions orally.  This can then transfer to writing opportunities as well.

 How can you provide models of writing for your students? 

Reading great books serve as good models. Students can compare their writing with an author’s ideas.  A good writing program works hand in hand with a good reading program.  Shared writing from the teacher, as well as teacher writing models like the morning message- provide authentic models of writing for students.

 How can you enhance the use of oral language to promote students' writing skills?

Improves the level of their performance.  Collaborative text-talks can foster and promote students’ writing skills.  Students can reflect and interact with each other based on text and then transfer those thoughts through writing.

 Assignment #3

What are the benefits of the assessment strategies Professor Ruiz proposes? 
There are some benefits of the assessment strategies Professor Ruiz proposes.  Weaknesses and strengths of the writing skills of each student can be established through assessment.  By using this data, goals can then be established.  Students help to construct a portfolio of their “ongoing work”.  Teachers can discover through assessment- what subject matter students are more comfortable with. 

 What benefits and challenges do portfolios present? 

There are both benefits and challenges with using portfolios.  When constructing portfolios, student work is analyzed by both the student and the teacher.  Students’ reflections are valued and included.  They are involved in the collection and analysis of the work samples.  Student progress can be easily seen over the course of a school year.  Challenges might include the time allocation to construct and maintain portfolios.  I noticed that each student had a typed up section of all the skills that the student needs to work on to improve.  I’m concerned about time constraints to produce all of this.

 Describe your experience with more formal assessments such as the monthly writing assessment Professor Ruiz describes.

There have been writing assessments that demonstrate the students’ understanding of the content area subjects such as social studies and science.  I’ve experienced administering these assessments previously and realize how important reading and writing in the content areas is for literacy development.  The assessments I see the most are extended and constructed responses after reading an informational, narrative or persuasive writing piece. Therefore students need as much exposure and practice with these forms as possible.  

 What are the challenges of incorporating formal assessments into your curriculum? How might you address them? 

As Professor Ruiz stated, formal assessments can be a means of preparation for “high-stakes assessment”.  The challenges of incorporating formal assessments into my curriculum could be as I previously stated: time constraints or even inadequate staff.  Staff is needed to not only administer these assessments but also evaluate them.  This must all be done without disrupting the flow of the curriculum.  I would address this by possibly participating in collaborative inquiry with a fellow teacher as a means of support.