Okay, here is my very first blog ever. I’m not sure how much I will have to write but here goes…

I was thinking about what we have done recently in class. The poem “A Boy’s Head” that we went over was very interesting. At first glance it made no sense to me, yet as we discussed it we came up with plausible interpretations. I like how we wrote poems in a similar form, yet inspiration from the poem can be interpreted in different ways. Some people wrote in a similar structure and others wrote in a similar content.
The book that was talked about briefly in class, “Hanna’s Suitcase”, is also very remarkable. What a way to learn about history! Lessons and activities like this which inspire children’s interest are rich and valuable experiences. I’m excited to hear what our guest speaker will have to say about it.
I, like most people so far, really enjoy this text. It’s very personable to read and Routman gives many examples of strategies and activities that make sense and that we could use in a classroom. I really like how Routman gives a number of ideas for teachers to make time for effective and positive conferences. Writing conferences are important in developing student’s skills in writing, as Routman discusses in chapter 9. I am wondering what would be a good method to teach students to speak constructively to their peers in a manner that celebrates writing. Students will need to learn to be respectful and tolerant of different writing styles and ideas. Conferences include reinforcing the writer’s ideas and providing future goals or ideas for the writer to work on. How do we as a teacher ensure that peer conferences are valuable experiences? Through modeling students will learn their roles and some example questions and procedures, yet do they learn how to be positive and constructive? How do you avoid false praise and negative responses?
Routman mentioned that a benefit of “whole-class share conferences” is that it “gives reluctant writers confidence to write” (page 20). Through celebrating and sharing writing students will gain confidence and improve. This may seem contradictory, that students who are reluctant will not want to share in front of their peers, but through encouragement and interest from the peers will only increase their abilities; and at the same time all students will learn. I have one question though, Routman discusses those writers who are reluctant to share (page 214) by asking them and encouraging while accepting refusal; yet how do you help a child who continues to refuse?
Routman talks about Frontloading briefly (page220-221); to me this seems very important. By thoroughly teaching and modeling writing and conferences a teacher can ensure future time is spent more constructively and efficiently. Students will feel more confident and know expectations of them. As Routman says “conducting a conference is enjoyable and efficient once we and our students are clear about writing purposes, engaged in the process, and know what is expected.” (Page 220)
The section ‘Use the Language of Helpful Response’ reminded me of a practice that I learned as a summer Daycamp counsellor in how to talk with parents, that can also be related to talking to students about their pieces of writing; a technique called the ‘sandwich effect’ where you sandwich a constructive comment between two positive and encouraging comments. This places less emphasis on the negative and boosts their confidence in their abilities. Like Routman said “We have the power to encourage the writer for the whole year or destroy his desire and energy to write with one negative comment.” (Page 224)
Before reading this chapter I don’t think I would have known the importance of writing conferences to facilitate positive and constructive experiences in writing. I don’t think I remember having writing conferences throughout my years in school, and I don’t I would have known how to participate in one, never mind lead/teach one. I’m looking forward to participate in a conference next class, where I can improve my writing skills with your help! (Hopefully I’ll have enough for my fan fiction to bring that in, I’m sure I would love feedback on that :) )