Sunday, January 31, 2010

"Teaching Together"

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to present at the third annual "Teaching Together" Conference at Baldwin-Wallace College. "Teaching Together" is an organization of approximately 300 pre-service teachers who are at all different points in their educational journey. The conference was attended yesterday by 60 students who participated in sessions on Praxis II exams, resume building, constructing a professional portfolio, interviewing skills, resources for ESL students, and my presentation on creativity in the classroom. My fellow presenter and I were able to share various resources and opportunities to engage students, particualry in reading and writing, in other avenues than traditional literacy activities. As I was presenting, I began to think about the use of new literacies in the classroom. I shared with my audience how simple it was to create a blog last week, and the importance of utilizing various media and stratedies to motivate and engage our learners. The audience seemed interested and receptive, and I hope that a least a few future teachers will remember to broaden their horizons in future lesson planning!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Show or Tell

Menand's article Show or Tell: Should Creative Writing be Taught? made me recall my first creative writing course at Magnificat High School several years ago. As a senior, I had originally registered to continue my foreign language studies in a Spanish IV course. However, I impulsively decided prior to the commencement of the class that I wanted to take a risk and move beyond my comfort zone of traditional coursework. Enrolling in a semester of Ceramics and Sculpture in fall term, and then Creative Writing in spring, was the opportunity I needed and desired to find my "voice" as a student, artist, and writer.

I agree with Menard that "few activities make people more self-conscious than participating in writing workshop. Reflecting on yourself-your experience, your "voice", your background, your talent or lack of it-is what writing workshops make people do" (2009, p. 109). The creative writing course I took did not focus on teaching the mechanics of writing or the conventions of print. The foundations of those concepts had been laid many years prior to my enrollment in the class. However, what I did learn was how to express myself in a variety of styles and genres. Most importantly, I learned to share my words and experiences with others. I was initially surprised by the interest others gave to my writing, and I learned to accept compliments and constructive criticism, as well.

As an English teacher for twelve years, educating fourth and fifth graders, I conducted many Writer's Workshops in my classroom. I was always pleasantly surprised with with how willing my students were to share their words with their teacher and peers. At their age, I was always hesitant. However, I realized that the child-centered structure of my classroom enabled my students the atmosphere to be themselves without fear of making a mistake or being judged. Students learned the valuable lesson of listening to others' words and giving constructive feedback. They also had the opportunity to see me write and listen to my words. "Teachers are the books that students read most closely, and this is especially true in the case of teachers who are living models for exactly what the student aspires one day to be-a published writer", (Menand, 2009, p. 112). It is my hope that these lessons and examples were carried with them into the junior high years and beyond.

I cannot answer the question, Can creative writing be taught? There will always be some students who have an inherent talent for writing, as others do for mathematics or science. However, some students need more guidance, patience, practice, and opportunities to hone their craft. Picasso one said that, "Every child is an artist." I believe that all children are writers, as well, with multiple stories to tell. We must enable our students the chance to take a risk, write, share, and find their true "voice".