It's Monday? Write Again! #1
Submitted by kim on Mon, 09/10/2012 - 12:36 in Homeschooling, Writing
The Write Next To Me© Writing Communities started last Friday. It would be impossible to cover all that we accomplished in one concise blog post, but I wanted to share some highlights of our activities and discussions.
The parents received a handout a week prior to our first meeting which included lots of information on writing. Topics covered were writing to learn exercises, how writing to learn differs from public writing, pre-writing activties, and graphic organizers.
Here's a snippet from the parent handout:
"Writing to learn is writing done for the purpose of the writer. It’s everyday writing: the grocery list, reminders on the calendar, notes from a Sunday sermon. The audience is small, most often just for the writer personally. It is safe writing. Writing to learn pieces are unedited, usually only one draft, and ungraded. They are short and often spontaneous.
Public writing is a more significant piece of writing. Public writing often follows specific criteria such as the structure of a five-paragraph essay or a resume. An important key to public writing is audience; someone else is going to read the piece. For this reason, public writing is usually planned, revised and edited. In an academic setting, public writing is graded."
Additional information on Writing to Learn can be found within the Write Next To Me© content.
Parents were challenged to select one graphic organizer and share with the group how they would implement its use as a pre-writing exercise. I was so impressed with the creativity the parents have to implement more writing across their curriculum. A great collection of printable graphic organizers can be found here at Daily Teaching Tools.
Writing Community families started using our writer's notebooks this week. I'm offering prompts for a few weeks to get everyone started. This week, we're focusing on the topic: My Name. Answering today's prompt made me realize I've never asked my parents why they selected my middle name! I love how writing uncovers these little things. I am already glad I'm setting aside the time to write with my students daily.
Want more information on the Write Next To Me© Writing Communities or how to receive parent handouts? Email kim@catchingfoxes.com.
