When you are grading students' papers, you may be tempted to edit
students' work or rewrite it to show how it's done. Don't bother.
The struggling writers aren't going to read and analyze the sample
you edited. All they will see is that you changed their work.
Struggling writers may interpret your edits as a signal that somebody
else will edit for them, which lets them off the hook.
Or they may see your rewrite as meaning they are inferior to other
writers.
Or both.
When you have instruction to offer that struggling students may
interpret as a negative comment, it's best to give it orally so
they can see and hear positive messages in your tone, gestures,
and facial expression. If a face-to-face meeting isn't feasible,
consider using Jing to record your comments as you examine a paragraph
or sentence from the student's work.
Russell Stannard's Jing
training videos show you how he uses the free video tool when
he grades work by his ESL students.
Writing Points presents: free
resources
Stopwatch, Google training, Smithsonian
Do you need to keep students on task while they are working at
the computer? Or do you need to limit a student's computer time?
You can use OnlineStopWatch.
(One of its "time's up" options is a cool bomb explosion.) OnlineStopWatch
won't shut off the computer, let alone blow it up, but it will provide
a visual reminder of the passage of time.
Jennifer Dorman, a Google Certified Teacher, has host of Google
training tools on her website, cliotech. These show how to use
many lesser-known Google resources.
Smithsonian
Institution's Digital Library hold an incredible variety of
resources for topics from folklore to atomic energy. It's a great
place for students to do research or for you to find materials for
lesson plans.
Writing Points presents: teaching
tip
Is that material age-appropriate?
When you are looking for materials to use in your classes, pay
close attention to its age-appropriateness. Just because information
is posted on the Internet, doesn't mean it is a good fit for your
classes. And just because someone in the state education department
thinks a topic is appropriate for your classes doesn't mean it is.
Third graders are not capable of writing persuasive essays or research
papers. They haven't the cognitive ability or the life
experience that is required for those tasks. That's why You-Can-Teach-Writing
says it's aimed for teachers grades 7 and beyond: younger students
cannot handle thesis + support expository writing.
By the same token, materials for writing instruction of third graders
are not appropriate for college students. College students may know
as little about expository writing as third graders, but they have
more extensive cognitive development and far greater life
experience. Give them materials appropriate to their adult experiences.
It is better to give older students nonsense materials to help
them learn formats and procedures than to give them serious materials
written for much younger students.
Writing Points presents: new
postings
Teaching vocabulary for readers & writers
After a study was published showing the average English-speaking
teen blogger has a writing vocabulary of 800 words, a member of
my Twitter Personal Learning Network asked for suggestions for teaching
vocabulary. Her question nudged me to write about how to teach vocabulary
so students incorporate new words into their speaking and writing
vocabularies, rather than simply recognizing them on the SATs.
Collaborative student activities are identified by the word team.
My plans to move in May were delayed by the cabinetmaker's failure
to understand the concept of deadlines. While I'm busy with boxes,
I'd love to you furnish some new web page content.
As you are thinking about the 2009-2010 school year, please share
your best (or worst!)
experience at the teachers' forum. As a teacher you must reflect;
as a writing teacher, you must also write. The forums provide a
place to do both.
No providence preventing, I will be moved and unpacked before
the next issue of Writing Points is released July
15. All proceeds from sales of Talk
It Out and Grammar
Abusers Anonymous between now and then will be used to pay for
Advil® and Myoflex®.
Until next month, keep your pencil sharp.
Linda Aragoni
