What I Learned about Teaching Writing from Swim Lessons - 0 views
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EDUCATION and TEACHING Two Writing Teachers Writing Writers Wkshp Teaching Writing New Teachers
shared by Stephanie Griffin on 30 Jul 10
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As writing teachers, we need to put words on paper. It gives a deeper insight into how to teach writing well.
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Nate would take one person to the other end of the pool while everyone else was able to practice in the shallow end.
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When kids did something they weren’t suppose to, they paid the consequence. He made his explanations clear and the consequence for crossing a boundary evident up front.
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Give a small amount of whole group instruction and a lot of time for practice. His instruction with the whole group was a matter of minutes. Then he watched them all attempt the teaching point. Then he would call them together and refine his instruction. He never “instructed” for more than a few minutes at a time. He knows learning happens by doing.
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Ignore the mess. Learning something new can be messy. Nate ignored the mess. Instead he focused on encouragement and teaching one thing. As a writing teacher I need to ignore the mess a little more.
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Give a reminder at the very end. As they were drying off, he would say to each person, “Now what are you going to think about until you come back?” He would give one reminder. The really big thing he expected of each person.