But that's what is great about blogs, it lets amateurs like me on center stage, and even though my writing is not spectacular, I'm still happy to have a voice and pretend it matters to people.
For some people, writing just comes naturally, it flows from their pen (or fingertips) and it is entertaining and easy to read, and it effectively communicates exactly what they intended. The greatest compliment I've ever received about my own writing is,
"Christy, I love to read what you write....you write JUST like you talk!"Looking back on it, I'm not even sure it was a compliment? However, that is how I like to write best, I like writing when it is recreational and informal and just expressive in nature. Taking the time to sit down and organize my thoughts is extremely beneficial for me, it helps me anchor down and really examine some of the thoughts swirling around inside my head. I once heard a quote that said something to the effect that a man never really understands something until he's able to articulate it. I believe that's true.
Writing forces us to slow down and really explore information. It's taking these previously unknowable concepts off the shelf and really handling them and practicing with them and getting more comfortable and acquainted with them. Everyone needs to write, because everyone needs that chance to think. In my classroom I hope to give students ample opportunities to articulate whatever it is that's inside their heads.
I will do my best to make it interactive by utilizing technology and giving them a chance to receive feedback from their peers. I will make it informal and more about having a conversation than receiving a grade. I will make sure there is variation in my writing assignments and do my best to push kids outside their comfort zones with more and more practice until they begin to perceive themselves as something more than just 'amateur writers.'
"writing forces us to slow down and really explore information." Great line! SO TRUE! I think about all the times that I have written essays, short and long, and i just remember having learned so much because I was constantly looking over the information and reviewing it in my head. So much more comes from that! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Christy: I wanted to comment on the following sentence: "The whole idea of having a blog begs the idea that I actually believe my own thoughts and writing are good enough to publish to the whole world wide web."
ReplyDeleteI know you're not necessarily saying you're "insecure" as a writer, but this posting reminded me of how we all have doubts about ourselves and the quality of our work. I bet many of your students feel that way about you...that their thoughts or their writing will not be engaging or good enough to share with you or with the whole class or their peers. I have to publish for a living and still writing for others is an emotional process for which I lack full confidence sometimes.
I think it's good for us to have experiences as writers (as teachers) because then we get a lot more empathy for students, at least in my opinion.
Thanks for a very thoughtful posting!
Hey Christy! I just thought you should know, you do have a very strong "voice" when you write. This writing technique is incredibly helpful for the blog atmosphere. Blogs are a great place to let your voice shine through. You don't have to worry about grammar and making sure that every i is dotted and every t crossed. In fact, the more apparent the voice of a piece is, the more powerful it becomes to the reader. So, when you say you can't write, don't sell yourself short! You have a great talent, and one that many will never come to grasp in their lifetime... so use it!
ReplyDeleteChristy
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I think that you were completely right when you said you would give students a variety of writing assignments. Without a variety, I think that students will get sick of writing. If you required a two page essay every single time you assigned a writing assignments, the students would deem you as a predictable teacher, right? Keeping it interesting can keep students intersted in the class. Good job!