All week, I have been writing with a personal lens: mother, wife, neighbor. I have so enjoyed meandering through those slices of my life.
Today I have been writing with a Kindergartner's lens as I prepare demonstration texts for them. They are in a persuasive unit, so they need a problem that they can identify with. Something they can persuade their friends to care about.
I want to capture the thinking of this age, while making the language and length attainable for them. I want my Kindergartners to "read" alongside me and say "I get it! I can write like that!"
What is something that rings true for this age? Something that needs to improve in their world? Something that is worth petitioning for? Yet, I need to also think, what is something that is authentic coming from me?
Sounds so easy, and yet it is so difficult.
I decide on safety when walking to school.
I have a go:
- Round 1: Sentences are too long. Language is too sophisticated.
- Round 2: Language is more attainable, but sentences are still too long.
- Round 3: Just right.
Not only do I try out this work with this lens, but I experience targeted revision.
Our students are doing challenging work. I continue to learn how important it is to take on this challenge myself, and experience it. In doing so, I become a better teacher, and writer.
What would you write?
This is such a powerful exercise. Does everyone understand how challenging, yet powerful, it can be to teach writing like this? I would like to do more of this kind of writing as a model work with teachers. You?
ReplyDeleteI would too. I was motivated to write about here by your SOL. This was a challenge to get it just right!
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