Saturday, April 9, 2016

Celebration: Student led Writing Workshop

I had one of my favorite weeks of teaching. Writing workshop allows for students to enter at any point into the conversation. I have several quiet learners who sit back and listen. Breathe it all in and then put their pencil to the paper. I have several loud energetic learners. This group believes if they talk louder their point will be heard more clearly. Finally I have my group in the middle who waiver on either side of the above mentioned group of learners. All together I have a very thoughtful and considerate group of learners.

Prior to Spring Break, our focus in writing workshop was on two questions which opened our opinion writing for our last trimester.
  • What does it mean to STAND UP for something?
  • What does it mean to SIT IN for something?
We read several articles, picture books and watched a few videos. After watching this Wonderopolis video, our class was a buzz about Alex's lemonade stand. The next day I read the book to the class and the buzz was a swarming bees everyone wanted to have a school lemonade stand. Fast forward to the best part. I stepped back actually I stepped out of the process. I became the official secretary and just recorded thinking. The class broke into four groups and we did interactive writing for a week. Finally each student wrote their own opinion statement and we presented them to the principal the past Wednesday. His final comment made my heart sing, "You have answered all my questions boys and girls, how could I say no?" There was a gigantic cheer and now we're on to planning the next stages of our lemonade stand.

I've always heard get out of the way of student learning and you would be surprised and even shocked. I have never totally gotten out of the way like I have for this project. I am so glad I am a secretary. Thanks for encouraging us to Celebrate each week Ruth. This week it was super easy to choose a celebration.


10 comments:

  1. NCTE has a call for articles about advocacy. This is advocacy at its finest. When we can sit back and allow our students to take ownership of their projects, they are empowered. Bravo!

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    1. Thank you Margaret for your comment and connections with NCTE. I will be pondering your suggestion.

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  2. What a great celebration! I am sure your students were thrilled. You have reminded me of my own lemonade stand story to tell. I think that will be my slice on Tuesday.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by I can't wait to read your slice on Tuesday.

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  3. Wow, Maria! This celebration is exciting and just beginning! Enjoy the moments here. They sound very precious to me.

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    1. It's such a blessing to be apart of student driven learning.

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  4. This sounds like an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing!!

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  5. The principal's comment is a huge compliment to the student initiative and thoughtful communication skills. Now that you have seen the result of stepping aside you are probably ready for doing it more often.

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  6. This just makes me smile Maria! There are so many good things about this project. It's student driven, it's authentic, it honors students' voices. Wow!! I can't wait to see what unfolds next. :)

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  7. Maria! Congratulations on such advocacy all around. For, with and by the students. I cannot wait to see what happens next! Thanks for sharing.

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