“Teach the writer then the writing” a phrase coined by Lucy Calkins that still holds true despite the fact that I have moved my fifth grade writing class into the computer lab. For several years I have embraced Lucy Calkins’ model of the Art of Teaching Writing. It has been a journey that has not only given the students a framed sense of choice but has liberated my instruction as well. I am simply standing on the shoulders of the good work that Lucy and so many others have already accomplished and I have transposed that writing model into a digital format.
Here is a brief overview of what our Digitized Writing Workshop looks like.
First
We are working on writing Personal Narratives and many of my first mini-lessons have been focused on Strategies for Generating Personal Narratives. During the first 5-15 minutes of class I have the students huddled around the screen as I take notes on Our Wiki and model a particular strategy for the students.
Then
I will usually give the students some think time to get a few ideas on how they could use the particular strategy I have just modeled. They will then turn to their writing partners and have a conversation. We usually go around and give several students an opportunity to share their ideas with the whole group.
Next
I will ask the students to log on to the computers and sit next to their writing partners. I then direct them to open up their Microsoft Word document and Our Wiki so they can have the tabs open and an example to refer to if needed. During this time, the students are composing their personal narratives just as they would if they were using a Writer’s Notebook.
That is it for the moment ~ no blog, no digital collaboration through a wiki BUT this model is a scaffolding step in that direction.
While the students are composing their personal narratives I am circulating about the room taking a knee and having one on one conferences with students. I can easily scan the room and see 15 computers at any one time to see if students are having any technical difficulties or struggling with the days work. I am about 2 weeks into this model of a Digitized Writing Workshop and there are indeed pro’s and con’s.
Con’s
- slow typing skills can get in the way of fluent writing
- organizing Microsoft Word files
- managing technical problems
- sending and receiving documents through Blackboard
Pro’s
- EVERY student loves Writing Workshop (based on the number of “yeah’s” shouted out when I mention that it’s time to go the computer lab)
- I can track writing data with Microsoft Word
- practice authentic computer skills daily
- students can send and receive documents through Blackboard
- I can insert comments into all Microsoft Word documents that can be considered and then deleted by students
The reality of this framework is such that not only am I trying to help children become better writers but they are also learning a technical skill set. My ultimate goal is to help them improve their writing but to get there I must also help them attain a certain level of technical proficiency at the same time. It’s messy at first but within a couple class periods the students are comfortable enough to manage a 30-40 minute writing experience with little to no technical difficulties.
