July+14

At the beginning of the day on Wednesday, we started by reviewing some the items on our “I Want To Know More About …” Chart.We labeled the items with an //A// (for //Addressed//), a //C// (for //Continue to Address//), or a //?// (for //Not a Clue//). After examining where we were and how far we’ve come, we switched gears to think about Process and Response. Katie volunteered to write and everyone began throwing out “Considerations for our Classrooms” in regards to what we have read about process and response. The list we came up with is as follows … Considerations for our Classrooms Modes of response and their effect on classroom climate Timely assessments and timely response Use of technology External communication Use/management of time Hooking kids for writing Student attitudes towards writing (ASK THEM!) How to NOT get overwhelmed Subverting the mandates Respect for writing as a ­­CREATIVE process The “black-hole” of assessment How to “control the flow” and “find a safety valve” After laying out some of the issues that will need to be addressed in our classrooms, Rod generously gave us some time to either reflect on these considerations or apply what we have learned about process and response to some classroom/lesson plans for next year.After about an hour and a half of work time, we reconvened to discuss what we had completed. After hearing everyone’s ideas for the year(s) to come, we each went our separate ways for the afternoon to write.