A Study of Memoir March 22, 2009

I really liked this article.  I enjoyed how she explained to her students that a snippet could last different amounts of time.  I can use this explanation in the classroom with my students by explaining that a Memoir is not someones entire life but a moment in their life. 

The children’s understanding was broadened when she allowed them to bring in books that they thought were memoirs and how they worked together to “sift”  through these texts to find the ones that were memoirs.  It was important for Amy to take her students on this journey as she allowed them to discover for themselves.  It was also a great idea for her to allow her students to choose their own mentor texts.  I really like how she led into this by allowing them to choose books they thought to be memoirs. 

I feel that a memoir for any student or teacher would be a great way to express a moment in time.  Maybe a hurtful one that needs to be dealt with or a happy one that wants to be kept forever.

Finding Memorable Moments March 22, 2009

Currently I am conducting research in my class on ways to keep students engaged and motivated during writing.  This article fits right in with my action research.  On page 137 the article quotes Christian Faltis who says “it is the teacher’s responsibility to create opportunities for their students to engage actively through meaningful activities that build on their prior knowledge.”  How true is this! Children have to experience something in order to write about it!    This article reminded me so much of Lucy Calkins “Small Moments”.   How that we share literature with students and ask them to think of their own small moments in time and share through their writing.   Students who are allowed to write about their own moments in time portray their own authentic voice.  This article really made me think when the author said….”We went beyond the exclusive use of transparencies, charts, or just talk as tools to create learning opportunities for the children.  Instead we engaged the children physically, emotionally and linguistically. ”   This is what  teaching is all about.  This form of writing allows students to take their own experiences and use them as a tool for learning which helps to shape who they are.