teachstrauch

Future 5th-12th grade ELA teacher • Graduating ISU ‘21 • she/hers

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

We've reached the end of our #NDOWTeachChat! 🥳Thank you all for taking time out of ur day to create an engaging convo! Special thanks to fellow facilitators, @LowtherTeaches + @TheTrue_MrG, and @shochstetler! Pls stick around/add onto the chat, if you'd like to! 🤗#WhyIWrite

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@shochstetler Thanks for sharing, Dr H., and I'm sure we'll continue to hear your great take-aways throughout the rest of the semester! But yes, at the end of the day, we're all humans trying to get thru the day together and that person-person connection is what matters most. #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

Congrats, you made it to the final question of the day! Let's give it our all be4 we call it a night. Q10: What is one take-away you have had thus far in your teaching career that you want to share with preservice teachers? #NDOWTeachChat #WhyIWrite

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@MrGreerUTHS Love this! One of my HS Ts I observed shared a similar thought with me: if you think you have things all figured out, you're probs doing something wrong. You should constantly be questioning how you can improve your practice and be a better T for ur Ss. #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@AndersonGL Thank you for sharing! Your take-away sums up many of the themes discussed in our chat today surrounding the need for authenticity in the classroom. Also, feel free to comment more takeaways if you'd like; we'll take any advice we can get! #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@AndersonGL @BoatmanTeaches @LowtherTeaches Thanks! And I know, there's never enough space to write out everything I want to say in one tweet!

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@AndersonGL @BoatmanTeaches @LowtherTeaches We've started to talk about grading the process in ENG 297! Honestly, as a S, I've only ever seen "process grading" as a participation grade. Is that how you utilize it, or do you have any suggestions for how to grade the process beyond that? #NDOWTeachChat #WhyIWrite

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@AndersonGL I'll admit I've only recently opened my eyes to that realization. I've always identified more as a reader, and I assumed others did as writers, but they aren't two separate worlds. If the two didn't mix together, they wouldn't be able to go on! #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

We're nearing the end of our time together, so let's keep the convo flowing while we can! Q9: How has your own journey with writing changed since you began teaching? #NDOWTeachChat #WhyIWrite

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@brittsteaching That's amazing! It must be so motivating as a S to know that your T is writing the book that they want to read in the world, and that you can, too! Seeing your T engaged in the writing process right alongside you is so inspiring. #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@shochstetler That's so powerful, Dr. H! Investigating the intention behind your writing reveals a lot about your progress over time. Your tweet makes me want to ask myself, "What am I trying to do? Who am I writing for?" before I write next time! #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@MrGreerUTHS Opportunities to practice are so important! If we aren't constantly refining our own craft, how can we feel comfortable assessing and encouraging the work of others? #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@brittsteaching Also, love the idea of mixed media! I think it's easy to label writing as just a "skill" while in school, when in reality it's a form of art and should be treated as such alongside other forms of expression. #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

Loving the responses, and thanks to everyone for sticking around! It's time for Q8: When a student is uncertain of their abilities in writing within a certain genre, what are your favorite strategies to use in order to build confidence? #NDOWTeachChat #WhyIWrite

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@brittsteaching Such high-interest pieces! Writing alternate endings sounds so inviting and lets Ss interact with the author in a way they may not have before. These strategies ease the students into the genre, instead of throwing them in to fend for themselves. #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@shochstetler @johngreen Love this! Humanizing urself, and well-known authors, by revealing the twists + turns of ur own writing process disrupts the misconception of teachers + authors as perfect writers who can do no wrong. And thanks for the resource, Dr. H.!
#NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@MrGreerUTHS Makes me think of the set writing process Ts often market to Ss: draft, turn, in repeat. But writing is messy and there is not one "perfect" way to write within a genre! Using model texts that highlight the diversity of writing styles def invites students in. #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@MrGreerUTHS Thanks, that's really helpful! In ENG 297, we talk a lot about the importance of properly framing an activity or a task + ur point on thoughtful organization of prompts/directions ties right to that. And relevance to Ss lives seems to be a running theme as well! #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@MrGreerUTHS I'm curious, if ur up for another Q, how you avoid peer response becoming just another checklist item Ss do, i.e. commenting what they think the T wants to see instead of writing authentic feedback? Or is that more of an imagined fear on my end? #NDOWTeachChat

[teachstrauch @teachstrauch]

@MrGreerUTHS Peer response is such a valuable part of the writing process! And it gives Ss a chance to show their writing to someone other than the T, which oftentimes makes the writing more purposeful. #NDOWTeachChat