Writing Article #2

Along with making sure students have a comfortable environment and allowing them choice, something else really stood out to me after reading this article again. Allowing time for students to reflect on their own writing and set goals for themselves. The article stated, "If we teach writing as a process, our grading should reflect that process." Students should be concentrating on setting small goals for themselves in writing, and should be given the time to reflect on these and take pride in their "work in progress." Students should be given the opportunity to look back at the goals they set and to work with their peers to conference about writing. This is so important, and also allows for kids to really have a part in the learning process to take ownership. I also agree that not every piece of writing should be judged, criticized, or graded the same way. Children need to be given a little bit to focus on in each writing piece. If teachers are constantly looking at every little part of a child's writing, then the student is never going to feel like they have succeeded at anything. This article really has given me a lot to think about when planning my writing instruction for the upcoming year. If there is an area I would like to focus on more, it would be informing parents more often and in different ways.