The Art of Writing and Revision

Teaching Strategies

Writer’s Notebook

Students will keep a physical writer’s notebook. This notebook should contain notes from class, the essays we read and annotate in class, as well as their brainstorming and drafting stages. Students can even record thoughts about the books and articles we read, write poetry, and even use it as a journal if needed. Emily Fintleman describes how a writer’s notebook “is an invaluable tool in helping our young writers to understand that their own ideas are the epicentre of the writing they will do during their time with you. It’s a place where writers practice being writers.”³⁹ Using a writer’s notebook puts students in the mindset that their words and ideas matter. It is important for a student to have autonomy when setting up their writer’s notebook. A teacher may suggest keeping an envelope to store random thoughts or found objects or images to inspire writing. I will encourage students to get a notebook that would be big enough to paste in our annotated mentor texts. This writer’s notebook will serve as a catalyst for the writings they will do more formally on our writing workshop weeks.

Creative Writing Workshop

Using the workshop method, students in small groups (five to six students would be ideal) will read their drafts aloud in class. While students are reading the essays, they should mark things they like about the draft and mark suggestions of where to improve. Give three minutes for silent reflection about the piece being workshopped. The student being workshopped should be silent during the time that they listen to their peers’ comments, taking notes on the feedback. After one student is done, they move onto the next piece. I suggest setting a timer for each piece. Ten minutes should work fine, but if a teacher wanted to extend the workshop for a block day or over two days, 15 minutes may be more appropriate.

Reflection Writing

After every workshop, I will have students participate in reflective writing. In “Promoting Critical Thinking Through Reflective Writing,” Ben Richman notes, “By engaging in reflective writing, students move beyond memorization to analyze their learning. They consider what worked, what didn’t, and their academic and personal growth. This practice helps them gain insight into their strengths and challenges and equips them with the critical thinking skills they’ll need in college, careers, and life.”⁴⁰ With reflective writing, a teacher may have students think about their growth as a writer, what worked or didn’t work with an assignment, and their general feelings about having to do the assignment. Teachers can use reflective writing to have students consider other viewpoints or make connections outside of the classroom.