B-C's Professional Book Study will read Jim Burke's book, Writing Reminders: Tools, Tips, and Techniques. Group members must post at least five times to receive 10 recertification points.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The beautiful part of writing is that you dont't have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. -Robert Cormier (p. 319)
Thanks for taking a closer look at writing with us this semester.
In the section What Students Must Be Able to Do, “graduates need to know how to write a range of texts out there.” Students need to know how to write not only for different purposes but on different devices…e-mails, Powerpoint, Palm Pilot, memos, etc. I think that often we put too much emphasis on formal writing and not enough on simply stating ideas/information. I need to be educated by my daughter on how to text my BFF!
I particularly liked chapter 49 dealing with writing a persuasive essay. We often read samples of primary sources which allow students to compare the formality of these sources with the informality of most readings (including our text). The Persuasive Essay At a Glance also has some great ideas. Chapter 53 had an interesting comment concerning research……..”Technology has made research sexy.” The “postcard” idea during extended research projects is an creative quick check to evaluate a student’s progress or problems. “The Component of an Effective Presentation or Speech” is another resource that I intend to use in the future. There are numerous suggestions for improving speech making on page 302.
I enjoyed reading Burke’s book. There are many good ideas and practical suggestions that can be used in a variety of settings and curriculums. My bone to pick is that much of the book is repetitious. I believe the book could be cut by 1/3 of the content.
These are such great chapters for when I find myself wondering if I keep falling back on the same styles of writing. Luckily (happily), I found that I did indeed have a variety of genres written this year. Again, what Burke does so well, is he provides lots of ideas--not just graphic organizers and theories (talk talk talk), but he also gives Ideas that are easy to take and adapt--or just out-right steal. (which makes a great professional book).
The pages I'll be stealing from these chapters are 53 and 54 and pages 332-333. (wish I had done my reading one time for during this most recent poetry unit!!)
SO, overall---Burke has become my favorite professional book resource. He has practical as well as theoretical. I don't favor the books that are all words (??!!!)--just ideas and rationales--but not much to actually put into practice in a day's notice. So, good choice, Pmiller!
Blog #5 - Chapters 45-66 This group of chapters is where 'the rubber meets the road' so to speak with regards to the different applications of writing that each of our students needs to be able to complete successfully. The teaching, modeling, developing, re-shaping and evaluation of writing are all precursors to the student sbeing able to function as community writeres with reagard to the different genres presentsed in these chapters. I think the author did an excellent job the 'priming the engine' in his early chapters to create the best possible enviroment to allow studnets to be successful in these specific writing genres.
6 comments:
Reading 5 – Chapters 45-66
In the section What Students Must Be Able to Do, “graduates need to know how to write a range of texts out there.” Students need to know how to write not only for different purposes but on different devices…e-mails, Powerpoint, Palm Pilot, memos, etc. I think that often we put too much emphasis on formal writing and not enough on simply stating ideas/information. I need to be educated by my daughter on how to text my BFF!
I particularly liked chapter 49 dealing with writing a persuasive essay. We often read samples of primary sources which allow students to compare the formality of these sources with the informality of most readings (including our text). The Persuasive Essay At a Glance also has some great ideas. Chapter 53 had an interesting comment concerning research……..”Technology has made research sexy.” The “postcard” idea during extended research projects is an creative quick check to evaluate a student’s progress or problems. “The Component of an Effective Presentation or Speech” is another resource that I intend to use in the future. There are numerous suggestions for improving speech making on page 302.
I enjoyed reading Burke’s book. There are many good ideas and practical suggestions that can be used in a variety of settings and curriculums. My bone to pick is that much of the book is repetitious. I believe the book could be cut by 1/3 of the content.
Thanks, Paula!
These are such great chapters for when I find myself wondering if I keep falling back on the same styles of writing. Luckily (happily), I found that I did indeed have a variety of genres written this year.
Again, what Burke does so well, is he provides lots of ideas--not just graphic organizers and theories (talk talk talk), but he also gives Ideas that are easy to take and adapt--or just out-right steal. (which makes a great professional book).
The pages I'll be stealing from these chapters are 53 and 54 and pages 332-333. (wish I had done my reading one time for during this most recent poetry unit!!)
SO, overall---Burke has become my favorite professional book resource. He has practical as well as theoretical. I don't favor the books that are all words (??!!!)--just ideas and rationales--but not much to actually put into practice in a day's notice.
So, good choice, Pmiller!
I am glad this book is useful to you and your students!
Blog #5 - Chapters 45-66
This group of chapters is where 'the rubber meets the road' so to speak with regards to the different applications of writing that each of our students needs to be able to complete successfully. The teaching, modeling, developing, re-shaping and evaluation of writing are all precursors to the student sbeing able to function as community writeres with reagard to the different genres presentsed in these chapters. I think the author did an excellent job the 'priming the engine' in his early chapters to create the best possible enviroment to allow studnets to be successful in these specific writing genres.
I enjoyed learning with all of you this semester! Thanks to Paula for putting this together!
Thanks for another wonderful professional book club, P. Miller.
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