| Tina Walker LIST 5325 � Dr. Hirtle Oct. 6, 2005 Session 6 � Chapter 8 Book Club Discussion What do you see that might be engaging to many different students? Blending writing skills with meaningful teaching would be engaging to different students. This would provide the students with opportunities to express themselves at a higher level because the writing will have a sense of purpose. The use of peer conferences can be engaging to different students because it provides an immediate audience for students to share their work as well receive some feedback outside of the teacher. What do you see that might meet more than one learning modality? The use of technology would meet the needs of more than one learning modality. Students could use the computer for word processing, accessing reference materials, and publishing of their writing. Email could also be a fun way for students to set engaged in writing. Modeling of the writing process is also mentioned in the text. Teachers who model writing for the students are meeting the needs of all students. What do you see that might support hinder students with special needs? Using graphic organizers can support special needs students in organizing their thought as they write. Special needs can develop their writing abilities if they are paired with a buddy. This student can help model the writing process for these students. Labeling things in the classroom could support special needs students in building vocabulary. What do you see that might support/hinder English Language Learners? The text mentioned self assessments. I think these would be a support for ELLs because they could be taught them how to monitor who well they are doing in acquiring adequate writing skills in a more positive way. These assessments could lead to discussions where the teacher could elaborate on their learning without the student feeling as if they are being picked on or singled out. The use of graphic organizers can also help ELLs organize their thoughts as they are writing. Pairing ELLs with English speaking students can help them develop their skills. The use of buddy reading and collaborative writing can help ELLs who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. The use of labels is also beneficial to ELLs in building their vocabulary just as it would for special needs students. What do you see that might be bias in the language used in the assignments discussed in the chapter? I did not find any bias in the reading material. What do you wonder about with respect to equity (in regard to what you�ve read in the chapters? I agree that writing much be taught and direct instruction is an effective tool for teaching writing. How do you determine what is appropriate timewise for writing instruction? Do you find that it is easy to incorporate writing across the curriculum, regardless of the level or caliber of students you are teaching? |