Chapters 9, 10, 13

       I have come to find that I have to be in the perfect environment in order to produce my best writing. I can't sit in a crowded room with a ton of chatter and commotion going on because it will disrupt my stream of thoughts. However, I think that there is a lot more to it than simply background noise. I really liked Ray's thoughts on what types of resources should be included in the writing workshop area. I think it is extremely important to be surrounded by texts of all different genres, lengths, writing styles, and formats. Writers can learn so much about writing and gather their ideas through peering into works of other authors, whether it be J.K Rowling or their classmate who they sit next to everyday. I simply love the idea of being surrounded by pages and pages of writing whilst in the writing workshop area.

     I was very surprised by the fact that she put so much importance on having the teachers lead the focus groups. I feel like every single one of our classes has harped on the importance of making activities and projects student centered. I know that the student-centered aspect of writing workshop is the hour spent writing, but I still would have assumed that the students would play a larger role in the focus group process as well. Although I was surprised, I also understand the rationale behind this thought process. Writing can lead to very extensive and lengthy conversations, and since the main part of the writing workshop is the actual writing, teachers don't want to let the precious writing time slip away. With that being said, I do think that it is very important for students to have their opinions heard, so I think that the teacher should make every effort to meet with each individual student and talk about their writing during conferences. I think the idea of a work-in-progress folder is brilliant, so both the teacher and the students can keep track of their work and what direction it is headed towards.

       I think that one of the most important forms of appreciation and recognition is shown through displaying children's work. I will absolutely have a bulletin board filled with my students' writing, so they have the opportunity to be proud about the work that they have completed. One of the most important aspects about writing is self-confidence, so I think it our job as teachers to instill this confidence within our students. I can't wait to brag about the good work that they have completed and assist them with the school-wide publishing. 

Chapters 1-5

          As a writer, or a person who loves to write, I really appreciated the reading and all of its suggestions for a successful writing workshop. I am in my senior year of college, and the only time in my life where I have ever been told to write with no direction and simply write what I feel was in my eighth grade English class. Each morning, we would come in the classroom and everyone would take out their journals and begin writing. Due to the fact that this was a part of our English class, we only had ten or fifteen minutes to write, but everyone really enjoyed it because it was simply a time for people to write what they were feeling without the fear of receiving a poor grade or having to correct each mechanical and grammar mistake. I like that writing workshop is designed for students to learn who they are as writers and for them to become experienced writers. One of the greatest points that the book made was that within a bunch of really bad writing is the treasure of some really good writing. During forty-five minutes of writing workshop, not every word is going to be eloquent or make sense; however, during this routine, students are bound to create some of their very best work. I have always been a perfectionist, so writing workshop was always difficult for me. Fortunately, however, it forced me to let my guard down, and I learned to write with zero inhibitions. I truly believe that this is the time where I found my identity, as a writer.

            Although I fully understand the importance of an amazing writing workshop in the classroom, I also feel like there is not enough time in the day for all that needs to get done. While I would love to dedicate forty-five minutes of the school day so the students can become experienced writers, I feel like there are other books out there that will tell me that it is equally as important spending that much time reading, participating in science or social studies activities, or creating hands-on projects, and before I know it the day will have flown by. I know that writing workshop is a very important aspect in the classroom because that is the time where students will learn to love writing and learn to feel safe in their own skin when writing, so I want to know how can I put it as a priority without letting it gradually fall to the bottom of the list? I really enjoyed how Chapter 5 said, “The writing workshop is a lot like lunchtime”. As a teacher, it will be my job to create the routine of the day and put the emphasis on what I deem appropriate. I hope that I will be like my eighth grade English teacher—all of my students will walk in the door and immediately begin writing in their journal unprompted without me having to ask a first time.