So we're only four days into the school year and have already had to slow down and regroup. Last week, the students created their heart maps and were asked to write about one of the items on the heart. Independent writing time last Thursday wasn't enough for students to complete their thinking and writing to their personal expectations or to my expectations. I didn't want to assign homework on the second day of school with everything else going on, so the writing was not completed. My plan was to check each of their first Writer's Notebook entries and give feedback.
Over the weekend I decided to take a breath and slow down. I wanted students to have time to complete their first piece of writing to their satisfaction. Instead of starting a second Writer's Notebook entry today, we went back to finish what we'd started (including me because my first entry wasn't completed either). We talked about revising, editing, starting over and finishing a piece of writing. The students had time to work in class. Most finished and seemed relieved that extra time was given. I felt so much better walking out of school today. I can't wait to read their writing tomorrow!
Over the weekend I decided to take a breath and slow down. I wanted students to have time to complete their first piece of writing to their satisfaction. Instead of starting a second Writer's Notebook entry today, we went back to finish what we'd started (including me because my first entry wasn't completed either). We talked about revising, editing, starting over and finishing a piece of writing. The students had time to work in class. Most finished and seemed relieved that extra time was given. I felt so much better walking out of school today. I can't wait to read their writing tomorrow!