Why would we want to create nonwriters? We don't! But with the schools at the edge of both a funding crisis and a technological revolution, these deserve careful consideration.
First, read the inspiration for this blog at Choice Literacy by S. Rebecca Leigh .
Ponder the path we're on and start a dialogue on our practice in our schools, in our PLNs, and in our tweets. What would you add?
13 Unlucky Ways:
1. Tell children that writers write at desks first, not on a computer, not on a cellphone, and most certainly not while talking to someone else.
2. Correct all misspellings, including txt; U R 2 wrtie wel and purfekt the phurst time.
3. Squash the txtg. Writing is for learning how to organize thoughts and add more detail. Texting is a waste of thought and time.
4. Absolutely, positively no collaboration with another author, especially online. Children have to find their own voice and figure out how to write well without help. If they work together, how do you know who did the writing?
5. Don't encourage writing with photos. They serve a purpose, obviously. If you allow students to write with photos, how will they learn to write a thesis?
6. Only publish online absolutely perfectly spelled work. We don't want people to think the kids aren't learning what's important.
7. Be sure to separate reading and writing; think of the confusion of mixing the two areas. What would anyone learn by reading a blog and commenting on it?
8. Always write first on paper; writing on paper helps you organize. The computer is for revision and final drafts only.
9. Under no circumstances combine media and language. Use the English classroom for written language only; there's no time or reason to include digital media.
10. English class is for writing. Computer class is for computing.
11. Keep writing in the English class; how can children learn to write if they don't complete exercises every day on paper?
12. All research for writing reports must be done from legitimate sources from the library. Take notes on notecards; you won't always have a computer with you.
13. Follow the English text; never follow the style of other authors, and certainly, don't share your own writing. Just keep the kids guessing.
Note: This idea was suggested by fellow tweeter and motivator kellyhines based on an entry at Choice Literacy by S. Rebecca Leigh.
Remember:
Ponder the path we're on and start a dialogue on our practice in our schools, in our PLNs, and in our tweets.
What would you add?
grammasheri
