It seems to me that writing for an authentic audience (especially if that audience resides far away) is a real motivator for students. Knowing that their writing will make it farther than the teacher’s desk or the family refrigerator, youngsters strive more diligently to be understood. I saw that happen repeatedly in email projects in which my students participated some years ago.

And in our ever more scripted and prescripted classrooms, I wonder if some of the joy is gone and with it the creativity. I’d love to have the opportunity to be back in the classroom, one with less reliance on rules and more on process, reflection and writing to be understood; I can only imagine what might occur!

If I were, I wonder if these questions might help my students and I better understand their learning and writing.
1) As you completed this writing, what made you feel really good?
2) Was there anything that held you back, that was frustrating to you?
3) Did you use any of the strategies you’ve been taught in many of your writing classes? If you did, why and what ones? If you didn’t, why not?
4) What do you think could help you improve your writing?

I wonder how these questions might impact continued learning. Do you think they might push us all in the right direction?

Thanks, Anne, for prompting me to take time to consider—

Best,
Lani

Just wanted to say the student’s voice is fantastic.

We definitely do need more spontaneous writing activities in our classrooms and elsewhere.