When I first read the above belief, I took it literally and remembered teaching "the writing process" when I was a sixth grade teacher. However, as I was reading Because Writing Matters, I began to think about this belief differently. Carl Nagin discussed how professional writers acknowledge the notion that writing is never mastered. It is a lifelong, communicative mode of learning used for different purposes. This is actually how I view the teaching profession. Learning to be a teacher is a process, a lifelong pursuit which is never fully mastered. Like writing,there is always more to learn about the craft.
Each writer has their own process and that process changes depending on the purpose for and the genre of the writing. So, I am wondering how we can help students/teachers embrace their journey as a writer and to accept the process as a lifelong endeavor. I don't know about you, but when I was in school, I waited for 'the moment' I arrived as a writer, the moment I had mastered writing. I am still waiting! Many of our students are waiting for that moment too. Maybe it is time to let them in on the secret.
It seems all I am doing tonight is commenting how "I never thought of that" and feel a bit silly. Granted the reason I took this class was to expand my views and that is already happening.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us are new to the idea that writing is never mastered. A friend of mine is a "writer" and SLP. She just finished writing her first novel (yet to be sold). I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to buy her the Pocket Muse. He commented, without seeing the book, that it wasn't for her as she is a writer (not sure of her exact words).
I am curious to read of how others think to help "students/teachers embrace their journey". We keep track of the books students read and I keep meaning to post my list. The goal is to read a certain number of books. I am not sure if I could keep a separate log posted of the number of journal entries I do? To strart I would be happy to journal about each book I read.