My new mantra is "whole, part, whole" to help me focus on keeping the point of writing at the forefront my, and my students', thinking. I loved the author's analogy of the jigsaw pieces without seeing the picture on the box (p. 142)! That's what we're doing to our kids when we focus on writing skills in isolation. When the students don't see us APPLY skills, they don't make the connection and the skills don't transfer, meaning we have wasted lots of valuable class time.
Good writers keep their readers in mind. This means providing information the reader will need to understand the writing and organizing it clearly, using interesting words and lively voice to keep the reader paying attention and wanting to know more, and making an effort to spell well so as to minimize distraction and present a coherent message. I loved the idea of spelling well out of respect for the reader.
Good writers also write about things they care about. When a writer starts with a topic that matters to them, all that comes after is much easier and much more pleasant, engaging work.
I think it is important to point out to your students that good writers keep their readers in mind. I don't think a lot of students (and adults) think about their readers, instead they are writing it more for themselves. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteOh I agree completely, and yes, it makes sense! It's one of those things we think we don't need to mention, but of course we do, and often. Plus, it works well as a gentle way to point out something that's missing in the writing, "can you add more detail so your reader will understand how this happened?" - that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteComments by: Jacinda
ReplyDeleteWe need to encourage kids to write about things they care about. This does not happen enough. Integrating basic skills is easier than it sounds. Because of this book, I have seen many ways I can incorporate it all the time. Even as an adult writer I need to start focusing on who will be reading what I write.