Carolyn: What do you supposed caused this?

Judy: I believe your success was caused by giving them the two
things all great writers must have: TIME and CHOICE. You gave
them time to write and choice in their writing. All the
experts say this is the key to successful writing.

On 10/24/09, Carolyn wrote:
> I have an all boys 4th grade class and we have been reading
> about how boys and girls learn differently. Every year, it
> has been like pulling teeth to get students to write. Well,
> Another teacher suggested friendship as the subject for our
> first writing project. I admit I have been too distracted
> with student behavior to give it much thought and besides
> it is something that my boys need. But when it came to
> starting the project, I panicked. First, I needed some
> motivation and then provide some motivation for my
> students. Second, I needed to create a folder to keep them
> organized and prevent the loss of work. Third, I needed to
> provide them with a sequence of steps so that we follow a
> process of modeling, helping, and then working
> independently. I really committed to walking them through
> creating graphic organizers with each step in the process.
>
> For the first time in my career, I did not have to push and
> pull and beg for papers. The students are asking if they
> can write during down time. The writing is without form and
> doesn't conform to rules but it shows real talent. One of
> my students paper begins like this. "It was pitch dark
> outside and I was laying in my bed watching my cracked
> broken down TV when..." another student who is super active
> writes about a friend he meets at camp and they get lost
> because they didn't follow the rules.
>
> Another interesting fact is many of my students that are
> lower functioning had more interesting papers. All of this
> seems contrary to the research. What do you supposed caused
> this? In addition, half of my class are brilliant readers.
> The other half struggles but they have good attitudes and
> work hard. Even my student who has an history of not
> working is asking for help and working independently or
> requesting help from peers. Do you really suppose that this
> is because of being placed in a gender class? I am really
> baffled because, this is most challenging class I have had
> as far as major behaviors are concerned. I have really
> haven't changed much as far as student interest. I just
> helped them become a little more organized by creating
> folders for each subject. Do you think that perhaps my
> teaching style and interest is naturally better suited to
> boys?

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