Encouraging our children to write

Today was my first speaking engagement within the school district to other paraprofessionals.  I combined information from the presentation to the Oswego Reading Council last month with more detailed information to support and encourage writing in the classroom.

We discussed the importance of students knowing how to write and their ability to get their ideas out and on to paper.  There were some great ideas shared around the room.  I love to learn new things.   I presented an array of strategies, skills and modifications and I learned some new ones myself. 

My favorite writing strategy learned was this one:  Students write a story with a teacher throughout the year.  This works similar to a "secret pal" but instead it is your "secret author".  The student starts a story and then their "secret teacher" adds the next line or two then returns the story back to the student.  By year end - the student's writing has improved and a new story has been created.  There is a "reveal" day so the students can guess who their secret teacher was - and then the story is read aloud.  It was suggested to pair all the students with a teacher.  Some teachers would have more than one student as their writing partner.  This is an idea I'm running through my brain for the future...

As for my daily goals:
Yesterday's Writing Accomplishment:    posted my final and favorite blog in the "Inspriation to Write" series.

Today's Writing Goal:  Continue with chapter 8 revisions
 
Tomorrow's Writing Goal:  Chapter 8 revisions - finish by Midnight tomorrow and emailed out by Saturday at Noon.