Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
You will never thank me for this, but...
Since I have had the seventh graders in my class, I have seen an incredible transformation in them and their writing. They have matured beautifully and their writing has become quite sophisticated. Since they have mastered the paragraph essay form, I wanted to give them one more tool in their author's tool box. You may remember this tool from oh, so long ago, it is... The Five Paragraph Essay.
They groaned. They complained. They offered alternative activities. (They get bonus points for not just giving me a problem, but having a solution ready as well. At least they are trying for a win/win solution.)
Much to their dismay, despite their creative imploring, I stood my ground and preceded with the first essay assignment. Yes, that is right, they are doing two of these.
Like the title says, they may never think back and thank me for this. What they will do, instead, is be polished essay writers. Maybe, on one of those days that they have 45 minutes to write an essay for a test, there might be a glimmer of recognition for the trial and tribulation I put them through. Maybe.
Still, that isn't my goal. What I want for them, when they have to write on demand, with a deadline, is not to freeze up. I want them to have the edge that these tools will give them. When others are staring at the wall trying to come up with an angle, I want your children to be finishing their first paragraph. And if they do find they are freezing up and can't write, they will have several other tools in their tool box that they can rely on, so they can still do a fine job.
And sixth graders? Now that I know the seventh grade can take this on and do well, guess what. You're next. I can't wait to see what you can do next year!
They groaned. They complained. They offered alternative activities. (They get bonus points for not just giving me a problem, but having a solution ready as well. At least they are trying for a win/win solution.)
Much to their dismay, despite their creative imploring, I stood my ground and preceded with the first essay assignment. Yes, that is right, they are doing two of these.
Like the title says, they may never think back and thank me for this. What they will do, instead, is be polished essay writers. Maybe, on one of those days that they have 45 minutes to write an essay for a test, there might be a glimmer of recognition for the trial and tribulation I put them through. Maybe.
Still, that isn't my goal. What I want for them, when they have to write on demand, with a deadline, is not to freeze up. I want them to have the edge that these tools will give them. When others are staring at the wall trying to come up with an angle, I want your children to be finishing their first paragraph. And if they do find they are freezing up and can't write, they will have several other tools in their tool box that they can rely on, so they can still do a fine job.
And sixth graders? Now that I know the seventh grade can take this on and do well, guess what. You're next. I can't wait to see what you can do next year!