I have a very sketchy
memory of how I learned to write. I do
not recall having choice in what subjects I wrote about with the exception of
book reports where I selected the book.
I also recall separate grammar lessons that focused on complete
sentences, nouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives etc... I do have explicit memories lesson
surrounding the final product. Personal
conferences to discuss the quality and improvement of the writing during the
process were not part of the classroom routine.
Planning and drafting were things you did on your own, classroom peer
editing was not part of the norm. The
only part of the writing process that were discussed or graded was the final
product. A few teachers allowed you to
fix the errors in your writing and then you resubmitted your corrected project
for a new grade. I remember most of my projects being returned with red ink
encompassing the entire writing. My
biggest offences were run-on sentences and misuse of commas. I do recall my feelings about receiving that
final paper back and seeing all that red ink.
Though it did make me work harder to improve my final project, it also
made me feel less capable as a competent writer. Formal writing is the only type of writing I
recall. Creative writing was not part of
the curriculum and I was never encouraged to use a journal.
As
a teacher of writing I do try to incorporate the best practices into my
students writing on a daily bases in hope that they use this not only in
becoming better writers but as an out let to help they express their inner most
feelings.
