Assigning a guided writing activity in class is a painful task. The faces they make and their sighs, the "I hate it" attitude towards the assignment is something dreadful. As if I am dragging them to be hanged. Despite of the pain and the ugly faces, the task is accomplished and for my surprise, some of them do a pretty good job. Although it is a guided task, some are creative enough to add new ideas to their pieces of writing, keeping the flow. I am proud of some and worried about others. A mixture of feelings that I believe every teacher goes through one day or another.
Oí, Cleide.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% percent that what you describe above is " . . . a mixture of feelings that I believe every teacher goes through one day or another." I know that I had that experience countless times in my own classes.
I think we as teachers need to remember three key points if we want to deal with the frustration that often results when guided writing activities are assigned:
1. Don't forget that it's highly unlikely that everyone will be motivated and involved in such activities: most of the time some will, but for others it will be like undergoing torture.
2. Don't forget to move around and encourage and/or sympathize with students as they work: this can make a world of difference.
3. Always remember that "tomorrow is another day" and that even if practice doesn't necessarily make perfect, it certainly makes one improve!
Excelsior!
Dennis in Phoenix