Christensen ends the first section of her chapter on narrative writing by asserting that "students need opportunities to care about each other and the world. Narratives are a good place to start." I found this striking and it propelled me into a rabbit hole of thought– I stopped myself before it became too serious, fear not– around this concept of 'caring for each other and the world.' When do you learn to care about each other? Who teaches you this? Do we count on someone or something in particular to do so?
I think these are provoking questions and I have to be honest: I don't know the answers. Speaking for myself, it was my mother who encouraged me to seek out moments of connection, to let these moments inform my everyday. However, even this can only stretch so far; this isn't necessarily where I learnt to care about others, it is just where I learnt to care in general. It's easy to get caught up in the daily, fairly superficial, tasks, and focus in on yourself and only the experiences that shape you. I would agree with Christensen, I think narrative writing is a good place to start, but without sharing does it loose some of it's power?
Christensen writes, "they remember the read-around, because it is where we become human, where we put aside the masks we wear in the outside world and share our lives." I think her "read-around" is extremely powerful, and I think it is pretty key to her beliefs about the power of narrative writing. To quote my number one woman crush, Brene Brown, "connection is why we're here. It's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives." Perhaps narrative writing calls for an authentic voice, serves as a way to invite others into your world, and asks the listener to recognize the worlds that are around them, even if they do not feel close to them. This is powerful stuff, and, according to Christensen, narrative writing is also a lesson in crafting sentences and getting familiar with conventions. So, win win, no?
What do you think about sharing narrative writing? Do you ever remember doing this in school? How did it feel?
In this chapter, I don't believe Christensen addressed writing formulas, but if I had to make an assumption, I think she would concur with Michelle Kenney; writing formulas can be helpful but also harmful to student writing. I have to agree here! Just recently I was writing something for a professor, and she gave me and example paper to refer back to as I did my writing. I agonized over my paragraph structure. The example paper was broken up into three neat paragraphs but I felt like my introduction needed two paragraphs; one paragraph felt rushed. In the end I followed my gut and it turned out fine, but I think their continued presence, even when I am far from days of writing formulas, is surprising.
I am not a fan of the writing formulas but I have also never taught a classroom full of students with varying abilities. Perhaps in this instance the formula is necessary. This is something I am hoping we explore in class this week, as I am quiet curious what others experiences have been.
Maddsters, I love the questions you ask in the end of your first paragraph. Like you, it was my mother who taught me to care for each other. She taught me to always do the right thing, and always tend to those around us. Since she taught it to me as a child, I don't rely on anyone to remind me of it, it's become part of who I am and part of my nature. I think it's a great thing to think about though!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you included about the read-around. I love the concept of the read-arounds and I think it's true- students remember that the most because they relate and connect, and it's when we are at out most vulnerable in school. We're looked at as not just a student or teacher, but as a writer- a human being talking about a struggle or hardship we have encountered. Or even something that has morphed us into who we are today. It's really a powerful activity that does more to help students than other things we have to teach.
Like B and I, you've struggled with the concept of sticking to a formula in order to get the best essay. I say screw that, and write what you need. Like I have said, as long as it doesn't muck up your piece and isn't so long you lose your reader's attention, write until you think it's done.
Boy, that was a lot of interesting stuff! Thanks Maddsters!!
Hey Maddy,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting that you mentioned your mother and how she taught you to care. I think this is pretty common. It's usually as a child that we learn how to value others just as much as if not more than ourselves. If anything she taught me how to not care. The ways that I could better harden myself to the outside world so that nothing could hurt me. There's a big difference between care for and care about, which teachers have to learn both of in order to be successful at their job. I can't really remember definitively who it was that taught me to care, but it was either when I was too young to remember or it was so deeply integrated into my life that I can't separate it out. My guess is that it was my grandmother. There wasn't a lot she could teach me that someone else couldn't do better other than selflessness and kindness. She was so good an nurturing and people only get a few relationships like that in a lifetime. So it's like having an emotional core made of steel on an outside layer but marshmallow in the center.
I find it really surprising that you had that experience with your professor. I've never seen a single sample essay since high school. When trying to illustrate a point it does help to have something to rely on, but formulas are not meant to be a permanent practice. What you did by making your introduction into two paragraphs was following your judgement. You can afford to do that because you have all the training internalized to do so.
Normally I'm not very pro, "just have faith and everything will turn out fine," except for when it comes to writing. When you've got the skills it becomes a natural extension of yourself.
Hey Maddy,
ReplyDeleteI love how you talked about the "read around", and how it allows the students to recognize their own humanity in the classroom. I talked a lot about this with my cooperating teacher that creating an open environment where students feel they can share their experiences especially through narrative writing. In the Christensen chapter she mentions that allowing students to make connections to one another creates this new sense of humanity that they may not have recognized before. I think this is a huge component of teaching in a secondary school because I feel many students forget how many of their classmates will have shared experiences that they themselves have experienced. Showing the many connections that they do have in common will again create a more open environment to share and take those risks!
Maddy, I do recall writing a lot of narrative essays, but there were no sharing. I really wish I did have that opportunity 35 years ago! That would be a huge difference in my writing skills to compare with today. I know that I will never give up and keep practicing. In fact, I was out of practice until I got the job as an English teacher last year. I have been out of the field for couple of years due to a situation I have had to face in the past. I am back!! Thanks to this class, I am more determined than ever!
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