It's March, and March is for slicing. Anyone is welcome to join us through Two Writing Teachers, slicing, sharing, and commenting on other slices!
ATTENTION VISITORS:
If you leave a comment, please include your name in it! So often all I see is "anonymous", and I REALLY want to know who is commenting! Thank you!
As I walked through the hall headed to the exit doors and my car, two boys were setting up their green screen. The fourth grade has been working through some independent writing projects, and they've had a lot of options in terms of final presentations.
"What's the topic?" I asked, unable to resist the conversation about anything to do with writing.
"Atomic bombs," one answered.
"Whoa," I said. "That's quite a topic."
"We're definitely not sharing it with the little kids," the other boy said, as they continued to prep the video apparatus and test out the image in front of the green screen.
He held up the paper of writing he was planning to read. A full page of very small print with not a single semblance of paragraphing. (I may or may not have been working with him on paragraphing in his two previous writing units.)
"What happened to paragraphs in that piece?" I couldn't resist asking.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Meehan," he responded with a grin. "I'll be speaking in paragraphs. I know how to do that even when they're not in the writing."
"I can't wait to watch it," I said. And I meant it.
Walking away from them toward my car and meeting across town, I wished there was someone to talk about their curiosity, awareness of audience, technological savviness, and ability to recover with a response that was more than satisfactory to this writing teacher. At least I can slice about it.
All good things,
This is such an interesting response! I'm wondering how I can use this idea to teach paragraphing to kids. Could they watch someone speak and figure out where the paragraphs go??
ReplyDeleteGreat response! Kind of makes me think about driving without any signs, would we know when to slow down or stop? Maybe these boys are on to something, perhaps they're lightyears ahead of our old fashioned thoughts on grammar ... or not?
ReplyDeleteThis is INCREDIBLE! I especially appreciated the way the audience (i.e., not the little kids) was considered. Some incredible teaching has happened if they're that aware of what an appropriate audience would be given their topic.
ReplyDeleteI know you aren't the classroom teacher, but can you call home to the parent/caregiver to share your glow about all of the incredible things they're doing as writers and presenters? I know I'd LOVE a phone call like that.
I love the simple answer to a complex question - speaking in paragraphs. This student knows that language is so interconnected and he is able to parse out the parts he needs. Amazing!
ReplyDelete