Teaching Writing by Respecting Student Ideas
Publication: Classroom Q&A with Larry Ferlazzo, a blog on Education Week
Date: December 9, 2012
Summary: Larry Ferlazzo poses the question, "What advice can you give to help teachers be more effective in helping students become better writers?" In the fifth part of this blog series, National Board Certified teachers Renee Moore and Ray Salazar, and blog readers discuss strategies that develop students' intrinsic motivation to write, respect students' ideas, and create writing opportunities in the classroom.
Excerpt from Article
Much of the advice I might have offered has already been shared by guests who have responded in this series. I would, however, like to briefly share about the importance of helping our students develop intrinsic motivation to want to write. Research has shown that one of the key elements necessary for this kind of motivation is a sense of self-efficacy, or competence. Our students will be more likely to want to write if they feel confident in their ability to do so competently. There are many ways to scaffold instruction to help them develop that capacity, and I'd like to share two simple ones today. . . .
Response from Renee Moore
One of the most powerful ways to show we care about our students and their learning is respect and respond to their ideas; as we show them how to express those ideas in academically effective ways. While I admire and use many of the teaching techniques that have been suggested in this series, the first step is to take the time to know my students and find ways to let them know that I respect them as literate persons. . . .
Read the Full Article
Read "Response: Teaching Writing by Respecting Student Ideas" in Classroom Q&A with Larry Ferlazzo , a blog on Education Week.