Short chapter loaded with final comments and information. I appreciated the "Secrets of Good Writers." I do however disagree with teacher comments on students' papers do little to improve writing, even if the comments are positive ones. I've discovered my students look forward to comments on their papers and journals. They immediately read the script and usually want to share with a neighbor. They will frequently bring an assignment back to me and ask if it reads or sounds better now! Just a thought, but I'm not going to stop just yet writing comments - I still see it as a valuable teaching moment.
The author sums it best in her final paragraph..."I have seen no research that shows that educators who work the longest hours get the best results or that longer reading and writing projects teach more about reading and writing." Kind of hits home - we all lead such busy and fulfilling lives and of course our students are such a large part of it, that we really need to prioritize our goals and objectives for our classrooms. Sounds like I've got some summer school-work to do!
Friday, April 4, 2008
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