Who am I as a Writer Reflection & Reflection on course readings for the week 2/28

Who am I as a Writer Reflection:

          I really enjoyed this project. I think that it gave other classmates a window into what I was thinking, while giving me a better understanding of what they were thinking about the writing process. I also found it super interesting hearing about other people’s frustration through the writing process, it let me know that I am not alone. However, what I enjoyed the most about this project was the creative process, which I found a lot of fun because it really allowed us to think deeply about who we all were as a writer.
         In the future, I really see myself using Animoto in the classroom, either through poetry or when I do characterization. I think that the physical images combined with text and music really brings a project to life and I think that my students would really enjoy it.

Reflection on course readings for the week:

         I thoroughly enjoyed reading Kittle, I found her writing style to be honest and easy to read because she takes into account many different facets that effect our students in the classroom. I also really connected with her when she wrote about her free writing activity and how years later one of her students still remembered these writing activities.
        Kittle also had so many amazing quotes that I honestly just found myself nodding my head in agreement throughout. One that I really enjoyed was when she said the following:
     
       "Important things will not change in your classroom until you do. I believe that you can't tell kids how to write you have to show them what writers do (Kittle 8)."
   
        I find this to be strongly to connected to Bomer's concepts on "The teacher is a co-learner" and "incorporating Students participation in selecting and evaluating materials."  I find these viewpoints to be extremely effective because I truly feel that if you make students feel like we are all a part of the creative process, then they become more invested in the material.  I also particularly enjoyed reading this line from Bomer, which illustrates another benefit of incorporating students participation in selecting and evaluating materials:

        “Seeing what students bring in allows me to assess their conceptions, values, and tastes about the genre we are studying (Bomer 124).”

        I feel that this assessment is only made possible because the teacher is collaborating with his/her students, rather then didactically teaching the class on what he/she feels is of value.  

       As I read Hicks' writing I found it to be very useful because he takes into account the entire writing process, while also acknowledging the different forums and resources that writers now have available to them, which is clearly illustrated when Hicks introduces his writing workshop approach: 

• Student choice about topic and genre
• Active revision (constant feedback between peer and teacher) 
• Author's craft as a basis for instruction (through mini lessons and conferences) 
• Publication beyond classroom walls 
• Broad visions of assessment that include both process and product

      Another point that I really enjoyed from the Hicks writing was how he made it a point to stress that students need adequate time to go through the writing workshop successfully.       

     "The writing workshop, at its core, centers on students as writers and provides them the time and space to engage in writing (Hicks 5).”

       Overall, I felt that all three authors did a great job in describing the writing process.

Can you Relate?

The greatest days of my life

Coveted with clever words and a unique perspective

The most therapeutic experience

Release the stress of a long day

Capture the raw emotions of an adverse situation

This is why we write

Now I can relate to that

Why we write?

I think that writing can be the most therapeutic experience that a person can have. It can release the stress of a long day or capture the raw emotions of an adverse situation. Either way a written piece let's the world know that we are and were here.

Often times writing can give people a voice or represent a group of individuals that are not heard. As a person who loves writing and teaching the writing process, The thing that that I love hearing the most is: "Wow I can relate to that" or "That piece took me back to a specific time in my life."

As a teacher I love incorporating music and poetry into the classroom. I feel that music and poetry is rich with literary devices and is often coveted with clever words and a unique perspective. Some of the songs that I always use in my class are:



Michael Jackson- Man in The Mirror



  Alicia Keys- Butterflies

                             

                                                                     

       
Lastly, I want to share with you all one of the greatest days of my life. The day that my students performed their spoken word pieces in front of a sold out Barnes and Noble crowd. Enjoy :-).

AMS Poetry Slam