I have to admit that writing has never been my favorite subject to teach. However, having been to several workshops and having several visiting authors come to our school to share ideas, it's getting much better. I like to start out my writing lessons with a mentor text that clearly shows what we will be talking about. For example I love to use Patricia Palocco books to teach voice. I explain to the students what it is they are listening for before we read. They love hearing stories so this is usually a great way to start out. I also model whatever it is I want them to do and think out loud as I go. I want them to see that no one sits down and writes the perfect piece of writing in one sitting. There is a process that each writer goes through.
What I am not so good at doing is getting as much conference time as I need to. Somehow this seems to take so much time. I know this is also crucial time where so much learning takes place. Students also love this one on one time with the teacher and really seem to soak up what we talk about. Sometimes I think I just let a conference go on too long or maybe try to do too much with one conference. I know we are suppose to stick to one or two teaching points during this time, but that is so hard for me.
What I need to do is set a time, maybe even using a timer for each conference so that I have to stick to one or maybe two teaching points. Another thing I watched one of our visiting authors do is to go to the student and conference at their desk. This seemed to make things move along because there was no waiting for a child to get their things together and move to another location. I think these are two things I may try to make conference time move along and help me to see more students each day.
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