Until Next Time

Whether we realize it or not, writing is a huge and very important part of our lives. We write every day, whether it be a grocery list or the next great American novel, writing is writing. We would not have gotten very far without it. This semester I realized just how important writing is to me, and how much I actually enjoy writing. I used to be an avid writer, keeping journals about my personal life or writing stories to pass the time. But as I got older writing became a mere assignment instead of an enjoyable way to relax. This class, through the time we spent free writing and participating in the writing demos, helped me rekindle my love of writing. 

Digital writing is interesting. I learned that it is a great tool to have in your classroom, and that a lot can be done with it. However, I also know that it is something that takes time to develop and cultivate in the classroom. Creating one class blog site will not result in 150 students that become authors. In my future classroom I will definitely be open minded about having students use digital writing, but I also need to make sure that I have the tools to keep them moving forward so that they do not become bored and their writing is stagnant. That is my advice to other teachers, pre-service or veteran, make sure that you are knowledgeable about digital writing before you ask your students to do it. There are many opportunities for digital writing in the classroom, but choose one and try to master it before introducing your students to it!

I love to read and write, and I love to teach literature and not writing. So this semester was a bit of a challenge for me, to create both a writing demo and mini lesson. However, I felt that this was both my challenge and success. This class made me do something that I would not normally want to do (create lesson plans centered solely on writing) and enjoy it! I also felt very successful just listening and watching my classmates experience the class with me. Although it was a lot of work, I enjoyed everyones writing demos and learned from them. I also got a few awesome lessons that I would love to replicate in my classroom one day! 

All in all it was a great semester, so until next time...write on!

Argument Writing

For my second professional text of the semester, I chose to read Teaching Argument Writing: Grades 6-12 by George Hillocks, JR. I chose this particular text because I remember that I liked to write argumentative papers when I was in school, and I wanted to know more about how to teach argumentative writing. Additionally, educators know that in the state of Florida, the new standardized writing exam (the FSA) may come in the form of an argumentative prompt; I thought that this book would be most appropriate for a pre-service teacher. But even more important than teaching students how to write to complete a standardized exam, is teaching students how to formulate a real and concise argument and be able to support that argument; the real world is difficult to navigate, but with the tools to support oneself (through argument or not) make it a much easier ride.

Hillocks believes that argument should be set up and taught using the following steps:

1) View the situation
2) Create a claim based on the situation
3) Add supporting evidence based around the claim
4) Create a warrant connecting the claim to the evidence
5) Find the rebuttal or counterclaim for the stated claim

While the above steps may seem to be simple or some may even say "obvious" I think that it is brilliant. A part of argument that is very rarely taught (or used) is that of finding the counterclaim or rebuttal against your own argument. Or in other words... viewing the argument from both sides.

What?! You mean that I do not have to metaphorically "stick to my guns" and scream my argument until the other side gives up?!

No you don't! This was my "aha" moment. Students need to be able to view an argument from both sides. The skill to view a problem, argument, or opinion from both sides (a skill that many adults lack) is one that will propel the student as a writer and a person to be well-informed and reasonable. Additionally, being able to find counterclaims and rebuttals will create a stronger argument for the writer!

I found this book to be very enlightening and engaging... Hillocks is one funny guy. The different lesson plans or classroom lectures that he describes throughout his book are not only interesting, but educational.

What it Means to be a College Student

I am sorry but movies, books, and television do not do the "college experience" justice. On movie and television screens college looks like it is a happy-go-lucky, boys and girls gone wild experience (which sometimes it is). However, anyone that has ever gone to college knows that most of the time this isn't the case. So here is a list of what it means to be a (real) college student:

1) More than half of your classes will be in a lecture hall... with 600 other students.

2) You will spend hundreds of dollars on required* textbooks.

3) You will learn how to cook spaghetti in the microwave and strain it over your dorm room sink (true story).

4) There is a 50/50 chance that you will hate/love your roommate(s).

5) There is no such thing as late work, makeups, or do-overs.

6) You will learn where the on-campus free printing labs are, because professors couldn't care less about how your printer ran out of ink the morning that your midterm is due.

7) Most professors/counselors/advisors will never learn your name or know who you are when you walk into their office.

8) You will be required to take online classes...that suck.

9) There is a 99% that you will gain the freshmen 15 (or 20... or 30...).

10) Single serving mac n' cheese, granola bars, and popcorn will become staples in your diet.

11) You will not make real** friends in your classes until you are in your major***.

12) You will see that the "walk of shame" is an actual thing... don't be that person no matter how crazy your Friday night was.

13) Whenever the word free is involved you are there... t-shirts, food, scantrons, foam fingers... it's all good.

14) College bars are not glamorous... they are dirty and crowded... but they are also (mostly) cheap and (always) fun so it all balances out.

15) The one thing that the movies, books, and television got right is that college is the best time of your life, so enjoy it while you can because eventually you'll become a senior (no!) and have to graduate (we don't want to grow up!), but thankfully there is grad school... so we don't have to leave quite yet!

*required- is a word that professors use that really means"we will use this book one time in class so I can show you one example and then never use it again."

**real- is a loose term meaning the other students in your first two years of classes that only want you for your notes.

***friends in your major- will save your life, explain things that your professors just expect you to understand, and be a soundboard for venting... they are invaluable!