Today's Slice of Life entry did not come as easily as the other three have. I started three different posts this morning, only to delete each one and start completely over. The first was about a hot air balloon landing in my front yard. I started that post at least three different times and each time it just didn't seem to flow so they were deleted. Then I started a post about these t-shirts that I have my students decorate with pictures as one of their first homework assignments. Nope, didn't like that one either, so it was deleted too. I then started a post about what makes you feel smart, which is something I asked my students on Friday to reflect on. Nope, that one didn't make the cut either, so it was deleted. I was feeling rather frustrated. The more I thought the harder it was to come up with a "slice" worthy idea.
I then began thinking of the student who sits and does nothing the entire thirty minutes they have to write or the student who starts a new story each day and never goes back to it. I also thought about the student who does everything to avoid writing. You know the one who sharpens her pencil five times. I could relate to all of these students this morning. After my struggles this morning I began reflecting about what I can do as a teacher to help students through these times? What environment to I need to establish in my classroom? What routines can I establish to help these students? Tomorrow I will look at these students from a new perspective and try some different strategies to engage and encourage their writing.
You truly captured the hard work of writing here: writing even when you don't want to, even when the ideas are not flowing.
ReplyDeleteAll of your discarded ideas sound interesting, but I understand the struggle with HOW to get the idea out in a way that conveys just the right essence.
Glad you sliced even when it was a struggle! Your honesty is appreciated.
Thank you for your comments. I've learned many writing lessons today that I look forward to sharing with my students.
DeleteGreat post. You captured for me why I'm doing this. To make myself experience what my students may be experiencing so I can be a better teacher and help them learn more. I think it's good that we struggle through this some - it will make it more valuable! After each post, I'm trying to reflect upon how I got the idea for the post. How does this effect my teaching? Writing is HARD! You are not alone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to reflect and think about what I am learning about myself as a writer that I can use in my classroom to help my students learn too. Thanks!
DeleteI'm realizing how this experience will make me more aware of the struggles my students face as they write.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks for your support.
DeleteWriting through your struggle is important. Now you'll have something to talk about with your students about the way you worked through a problem as a writer.
ReplyDeleteGlad you settled on something worth publishing. :) Great post.
I'm excited to share with my students some of my own learning. I also think I might be a bit more understanding with writers who are struggling with getting something down.
DeleteIt's true sometimes we have to "muck about" with our writing. I'm the same way. I guess we need to let our students do that too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I kept thinking, "I wish I had someone I could talk this over with." I didn't mention this in my post, but my thinking of the importance of dialogue was confirmed today... Maybe that will be another Slice.
ReplyDelete