I am going to be completely honest here. I do not do a lot of shared writing in my fourth grade classroom. I did a ton of shared writing when I taught kindergarten because the students needed the model and the guide to help them with their own writing. I suppose I forget that fourth grade students are not accomplished writers (though many of them have such fantastic ideas) they still need guidance.
In reading this chapter on shared writing, I did not know that shared writing was so necessary an experience for students. In having, students write in their Writer's Notebooks, I have come to realize that I live them to their own devices far too often. I introduce the topic, share a few children's books, discuss the components of the unit, and then let the students to on their own to write. I am not adequately processing with them HOW to write. I am assuming that through mini-lessons they are going to gather the information on their own and take it to their writing, but that is not the case at all.
Even fourth graders, who can write, need modeling. They need to be able to work as a class, in a group, or with partners to develop their thoughts and ideas. I am an independent writer. I do not like to work in groups or with other people. I forget that my students are not that way. They enjoy being social with one another and working with members in their classroom. Through shared writing experiences, my students will be better able to have those experiences. I need to give them the opportunities to work with me and with the members of their community in order to foster that love of writing.
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Don't feel bad! I have never done shared writing before either. It seems like a new, fun thing to try, especially when trying to model some new form or type of writing. My seventh graders can write too, but they still need modeling. It may seem "silly" to my gifted writers that I model how to write a piece. Unfortunately, I do not have a classroom full of gifted writers!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do share writing in my classroo, I know I don't do enough. The matter of the fact is that students love to share their work. I teach third grade, so I defintley understand what you are saying about the mini-lessons. But since I teach in Florida they students take a state writing assessment in 4th grade, so I have to start preparing my third graders for fourth grade. If you would like I could email you some fun mini activities I do in my classroom.
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