I am amazed at how a little caring a little showing concern for kids really opens them up to learn. Been hammering to get these kids to embrace their new writing requirements. No go. They would have rather dug a hole to China with their bare hands. After I sit down with them and explain the importance of being a good writer and what it will do for them, shock. I was taken back by how well they could do. I just need to get them to care about spelling, but I'll take a small victory when I can get it.

Got a lot of work to do this weekend. Not sure if anyone will care, but I'll get it done sometime and be ready for another great production next week.

Comments

[Jason Whitaker]

That's a super idea. Since we're going to be required to teach writing next year like never before that would be a great build up. I've also been told to do a mailbox/letter system or a class diary. The blog would be great, too. Now my students wouldn't be harmed to learn some strong penmanship, but that's a whole 'nother animal. Thanks for the super ideas.

[Michelle Dickey]

Hi Jason,
The other day I was on ProTeacher and the teacher was talking about her class having the same problem - reluctant writers. I think she only had 3 or 4 of these type of students. She did something different with them. She let them set up a blog. It was really cute! I think it was a 2nd grade class. One of the boys blog was about Legos. She let them pick the topic. It was a basic blog. She asked if we on proteacher would join these kids blogs comment on them and then end it with a question which would encourage them to write. Sure enough she said it was like these little reluctant writers were on fire. In the beginning, she only required them getting their thoughts on paper/screen. After a while she began requiring them to edit their work. They were even coming in before and after school to work on their blogs. I don't know if this is something that would work for you. But, it sounded like fun to me.
Have a good week!@