I have found that my young writers benefit by being allowed to talk about their writing. It seems like this oral preview with a peer is helpful for them to get their thoughts together. So, I generally start our workshop with 15 minutes of total quiet (except for some soft music), while I go around the room touching base with students. They are to either be writing or reading what they wrote previously. After 15 minutes, they can quietly confer with another writer, however this has to be a focused conversation. The writers need to ask for the listener to listen for something specific. For instance, the writer wants to know how the lead sounds, or needs ideas to get started/move forward, or just wants someone to hear what he/she has written. These meetings are supposed to be about five minutes long. During this time, I am having individual writing conferences or writing circles with small groups. Of course, all of these procedures are taught and practiced as we set up the workshop in the beginning of the year. Naturally, my fifth grade students are very interested in chatting, so we need the occasional refresher to get back on track! I have found this need to talk about their writing motiavates them and adds to the sense of support and community.
Maura 5/NJ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Waingort Jimenez, Elisa" <[email protected]> To: "Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 5:14:48 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Conferring during Workshop Hi Jan, My experience is quite the opposite. What I notice when I'm conferencing with one student is that the children around us are listening to our conversation and often times many will join in and give their opinions or ideas. I love this aspect of conferencing. Elisa Elisa Waingort Grade 2 Spanish Bilingual Dalhousie Elementary Calgary, Canada The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. —Helen Keller Visit my blog, A Teacher's Ruminations, and post a message. http://waingortgrade2spanishbilingual.blogspot.com/ My school will start writing workshop this fall. How do you make sure students continue working when you conference with individuals about their work? Other teachers have reported (and I have noticed in my own experiences) that when the teacher works with one student, the other students think they can take that time to socialize. In a short time, no one is working, and everyone is just visiting. I need some exact words that will work with middle school students. Thanks! Jan _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
