Elizabeth Hale, provides such excellent scaffolding for the process of teaching writing. Her explanations and instructions are so clear and detailed that I immediately can see myself teaching.
What I was most struck by in this section of the book, was the explanation of why we start with teaching a strength. Her description is of how it feels to be in that situation is poignant, knowing you are not doing something well, and feeling horrible about it. When the time comes for feedback you feel fear. Everyone has been in this situation and it is important to remember, that for many students, this is their experience in the classroom. One of our very important jobs as teachers, is to help students cultivate hope. Hope that they are not a failure, that they can improve, and that they are smart, successful students. I love that she is committed to the practice of ALWAYS, first finding and talking about strengths. In the book, she also mentions different lenses for reading student writing. I think over time this is a skill that will develop, but when you read student writing, always with the intention of finding the good first rather than the mistakes, you are looking through a lens of positivity. I don't believe there can be an excess of positivity in a classroom.
Another technique that seems useful is the choosing of one or two things to look at a time. In a conference you do not mention all of the things that are wrong in a piece of work, you focus on a couple. This is another way of cultivation hope in the student, but also, realistically, that is all they are likely to remember.
Absolutely. I always hated meeting with my teachers individually at school because it always seemed to be about finding my mistakes. Ugh. No one likes to feel stupid.
ReplyDeleteI can see we're on the same page. It was the stories in the book that Hale shared, her personal victories and challenges, that really inspired me. She took years to develop her skills and by sharing them she is showing that we too will have that kind of growing adeptness and sensitivity to students. And she provides such excellent starting points for us as new teachers to jump off from!
ReplyDeleteThe concept of starting with strengths reminds me of how Mrs. Seabrooke starts her school year - builing relationships by calling all parents to tell them something positive about their child. Providing positive feedback seems to create a more relaxed environment where the recipient will be more open to hearing about what it is that he/she needs to improve upon. "I don't believe there can be an excess of positivity in a classroom." should be a mandatory plaque given to every teacher! As long as the feedback is constructive and skill-specific, let it flow!
ReplyDeleteMolly, I really like that you linked Hale's techniques to hope. I never connected her tactics to specifically that word, but you're right! Implementing her suggestions correctly will provide exactly that to our students!
ReplyDeleteI liked your title - Providing hope - what a great concept for teaching students any subject. I think that writing is so difficult for so many students and by giving them the positive power that they can do it will make such a difference in not only their attitude but also their work.
ReplyDeleteI'd add to finding hope the importance of helping kids find a story. What is it they want to write about? What is it they want to (and maybe uniquely can) tell others?
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