ASSIGNMENT SIX: DVD Reflection- Included in your text is a DVD containing video clips of Regie’s conferences with writers in the classroom. There is a detailed commentary accompanying the DVD on page 336 of her text. Please watch the DVD and then look at her teaching notes beginning on page 336 (Regie suggests just watching without notes first so that you don’t miss what she and the students are doing.) After both watching and reading her notes, write your reflection and please post a copy of your DVD Reflection to the blog.
*NOTE: If you experience problems playing the DVD please refer to the Writing Essentials companion website at www.heinemann.com/writingessentials for directions for playing the DVD. Look in the upper right hand corner for the link.
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When watching the DVD conferences, I noticed the efficiency that Routman discussed, where a lot of teaching moments were squeezed into a short conference. Being able to watch these conferences was very helpful for me; just like my students, I think I learn better when I see something modeled for me.
ReplyDeleteIn the celebration conferences, I liked how Routman restated Lahana’s specific word choice that created the imagery in the reader’s mind, instead of just praising generic “word choice.” I also noted the rereading that was done during this, and every, conference. When I first watched Max’s conference, I could immediately tell he was reluctant to share, which Routman’s commentary confirmed. But I appreciated the way Routman eventually got Max to read his own work through praise. The praise about his conversation and sound effects was genuine, which is probably why it convinced Max to finally read his work. And it was lovely to see the class so engaged with his work and his humor. It was a good reminder that all students can produce writing that can be used to help other students improve. It’s not just students like Paige, who consistently write well, that can be used as peer models. Everyone has a story to tell, as Routman points out.
With the whole-group teaching conferences, I could see the different level of scaffolding Routman provided these students. She let them read their beginnings, but then she used a lot of questioning and scaffolding to assist both Ervin and Derek with orally telling the rest of their stories. And they were genuine questions that a reader would want to know after reading their beginnings. I also saw how rereading and revising were modeled for the second graders. This was similar to AlexSandra’s one-on-one conference where she also needed a lot of scaffolding and guidance to sequence her story.
The editing conference was good to see. I like how Derek was guided to find his own mistakes, which I have found is really difficult for young students. And then, though he needed a lot of assistance, he was able to correct his mistakes on his own. I like how Routman had Derek practice writing the words correctly 2-3 times, so they would stay in his memory and he wouldn’t continue to misspell those high-frequency words. My only concern about the conference was that it was long, and I would be concerned about the attention span of my students. However, I also think I could do that kind of conference one-on-one or with a small group.
In every conference, no matter the type, I saw how Routman celebrated the writer, either with specific praise or with a clapping audience. And the students really appreciate being celebrated. I also saw that there was a great focus on rereading for the sake of the reader, always keeping the real audience in mind. And I also noticed how much teaching was woven throughout the conferences, even the ones that were “just” celebration conferences.
We love seeing Regie in action! "Everyone has a story to tell." Isn't this great to keep in mind? We're glad you found watching the DVD useful. Many students comment that Derek's conference was a little long or uncomfortable to watch. We wonder what Regie would say. :)
ReplyDeleteAssignment 6: CD reflection
ReplyDeleteI am relieved a bit by what Routman says in Derek’s conference. She directly addresses spelling, phonics, irregularly spelled words, and spelling patterns. Our staff has been struggling with teaching this whole group. We have been using those exact strategies during writing conferencing or guided reading groups. To use the public conference to address it reinforces the skills in a whole group setting.
The way she modeled checking spelling is great! I cannot wait to use it with my students. They often know when it doesn’t look right, but teaching a first grade student to use a dictionary, even just a word book, is really difficult. Furthermore, I do not think looking it up strengthens their ability to produce the word the next time. Thinking it through and repeatedly writing it just might. Oh, and when she said not to erase, cross it out, I chuckled through. The students do not have one single pencil with an eraser still intact. What a time saver. I learned this strategy this year and feel good that it was in the video.
While I am working through a shift in thinking about conventions, I am beginning see how fixing the message they want to share needs to be addressed first. I have a tendency to start in on conventions, probably because it is easier for them to recognize and obvious to the reader. When she did this with Alexsandra’s writing, it was clear to see that the reader needs to know what the writer is saying without confusion before the capital letters are in the right spot. Alexsandra cared because she wants the reader to understand, not just because it is a rule like having a capital at the beginning of a sentence.
The most exciting part of the video was the community building that occurs when the conferences and celebrations are made public. The students were engaged and genuinely happy for the sharing student. No gimmicks were practiced to create that, just a shared respect for each other as learners.
I have found the same thing with my first graders wanting to erase everything, all the time! I don't know what it is about that age, but it's taken a lot of modeling and direct teaching just to get them comfortable with crossing things out instead of erasing. But it really does save a lot of time!
DeleteKelly N. Glad you enjoyed the video clips. We're glad the assignment is helping you have time to think about and reflect on your writing instruction. Yes, focusing on meaning first is the best place to start. We agree with your comment about community building! It's wonderful to see the students support and cheer each other.
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