My Response to Blasingame & Bushman Ch 1-3

Chapter 1 starts out with a lot of useful info students and thier attitudes toward writing. Like any activity, doing something new causes, amonf other things, anxiety. This particular emotion is the exact opposite way i want my students to feel. In order to reduce anxiety, teachers need to create an environment in which students are free to explore, learn, and make mistakes. If students feel safe, they are more likely to open up. The other big thing that I got from this chapter was to remember that not only are students developing mentally, but also physically. These changes will only increase the self-awareness. All the ore reason to demand and create a "safe" environment.

Chapter 2- Keep it interesting. There is nothing worse than a boring stagnet classroom. Talking, reading, and pre-writing activities are crucial to successful writing. We need to build background and develop interest in the topics we are writing about. We need to make writing come alive. There are great out of the box activities in this chapter. Look at what is going on in the world, wrote a slogan for your favorite product, speak out against an injustice. Write about what you and your kids know and are interested about. Forget about the typical, reach out and connect the lives of your students with the writing they are doing. Finally, be proud of your students' wrok and publish it. Many, like myself, will rise to the oppurtunity of a challenge. All students deserve to have thier work looked at by the community. Build confidence and believe that your students can and will produce amazing work.

Chapter 3- Be organized and have a plan. That goes for everything, but your students deserve to have you be prepared for them. How can you expect them to prepare for you if you do not put in the time preparing for them. e involved in thier process. If you know where they are in the process, it is much more realistic to help them. Use a chart to help you and the student keep track of thier process. The superstars will help motovate others as everyone's progress will be posted. Take time to read and talk about the writing. Give feedback, and allow students to read and offer feedback to thier peers.

WOW! - What a great start. All this seems so simple, yet not often talked about!