In a few paragraphs, please describe your research project. Why did you choose this focus? Please provide any background necessary so we may talk about our research through this format. Please respond by Friday, March 13.
Ok, I'm a little late, but gonna give it a go. To be honest when I first began taking this class I wasn't really sure what I was doing, but the idea eventually came to me. My first grade students already have a writing journal that they write in a few days a week. I always try and give them an idea of what they can write about, but also give them the option of writing about anything they want. We also share our journal writing every Friday with the class. I decided to create another journal to which they would respond to a paticular question stemming from our main story for the week. While figuring this all out I got another idea, from Torey during a professional development day, to use a stem for their writing. So, for example, I would write on the board, "I would/would not like to visit the rainforest because...". They would have to copy the stem off the board into their response journals before answering the question. This would help them write a complete sentence, or paragraph, so that when I would go back and read their journals later I would know what they were talking about. Most first graders aren't really writers yet and certainly don't usually write complete sentences. I wanted to see that if after using stems in their response journals if it would carry over into their other writing. I have found that in more and more cases, lately, that it has. Not with all of them, but they are starting to get it. Sometimes they will even ask me if it needs to be worded a certain way, with a stem, if I don't specify that. Very happy about the results so far, and will keep you updated. I hope I did this right, have never blogged before.
Kerry-- Great post. I think it is fantastic how much your students are using stems! It would be interesting to compare their writing to students from a previous year... or have you?
Also, I'd like to try to move your post, to the main page. When we are at Jenn's, let's see if we can use her computer to cut and paste it on to the main page. (I'm afraid if I mess with it, I'll delete it... like I deleted Lori's great picture!... this is a learning process for me!!!)
February 25: Torrey Hosts --Course Overview --Read "Window Sill: Teacher-Researchers and the Study of Writing Process" --Write and discuss the status of research project
March 25: Jenn & Kerry Host --DUE: Draft/start of tri-fold brochure --DUE: One post to blog (or more!)
April 8: Lori Hosts --BRING tri-fold and paper (wherever you are with them)
May 6: tbd (Vegas Data Fair)
May 27: Chris Hosts --DUE: Final tri-fold brochure --DUE: Final paper
Just joined the blog...will write my paragraphs by Friday! This is so cool and I feel so tech savvy!
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm a little late, but gonna give it a go. To be honest when I first began taking this class I wasn't really sure what I was doing, but the idea eventually came to me.
ReplyDeleteMy first grade students already have a writing journal that they write in a few days a week. I always try and give them an idea of what they can write about, but also give them the option of writing about anything they want. We also share our journal writing every Friday with the class. I decided to create another journal to which they would respond to a paticular question stemming from our main story for the week. While figuring this all out I got another idea, from Torey during a professional development day, to use a stem for their writing. So, for example, I would write on the board, "I would/would not like to visit the rainforest because...". They would have to copy the stem off the board into their response journals before answering the question. This would help them write a complete sentence, or paragraph, so that when I would go back and read their journals later I would know what they were talking about. Most first graders aren't really writers yet and certainly don't usually write complete sentences. I wanted to see that if after using stems in their response journals if it would carry over into their other writing. I have found that in more and more cases, lately, that it has. Not with all of them, but they are starting to get it. Sometimes they will even ask me if it needs to be worded a certain way, with a stem, if I don't specify that.
Very happy about the results so far, and will keep you updated. I hope I did this right, have never blogged before.
Kerry--
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I think it is fantastic how much your students are using stems! It would be interesting to compare their writing to students from a previous year... or have you?
Also, I'd like to try to move your post, to the main page. When we are at Jenn's, let's see if we can use her computer to cut and paste it on to the main page. (I'm afraid if I mess with it, I'll delete it... like I deleted Lori's great picture!... this is a learning process for me!!!)
See you Wed's!
Torrey