Reflect. Question. Learn.
I write to know myself. Brings
calm, wonder, healing.
Writing reveals my
surprise, gratitude. I play.
I notice. Record.
Daily writing fills
me - helps make sense of my world
as better human.
Later I asked students to write about why they write. Below are a few of their responses:
Later I asked students to write about why they write. Below are a few of their responses:
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| "I write because it's a form of communicating. I write so that I can clear out my mind. I write to become creative. I write to create music." |
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| "I write because my teachers make me. I write sometimes when im really really made and I cant do anything about [it]. I write to communicate." |
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| "I am forced to. When I send something to my best friend in Florida. When I m grounded and have nothing to do. My cousin who lives in Cali." |
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| "I write so that I can get all my feelings out because if I don't I would just feel crazy. Writing helps with pain." |
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| "I write so I can remember things that are important." |
A few of these responses surprised me. I was delighted that I have a handful of students who use writing to create (such as write music). This gives me some new entry points with my students. In addition, although I am not happy that my students are going through tough situations, I am relieved to see that a few are using writing as a healthy way to manage their emotions.
The write to create music is my favorite. Such an I
ReplyDeletePorta the connection. Equally impressive: the student who started w/ writing out of obligation and ending w/ connecting w/ cousin in Cali! I love how you give students space to create and discover their voices through poetry.
These reasons run the gamut, from obligatory to playful, draining to filling. Thanks for marking the day with your students and sharing the writing that resulted.
ReplyDeleteThe "why" is worth returning to several times a year. I like how you expressed your "why" in haikus. And I think it is ok for kids to write that they do it because someone makes them to. Don't we sometimes write because we have to not because we choose to?
ReplyDeleteI like what Terje says here--the why is worth returning to and revisiting. Have you written a post about writing in front of your students using the doc cam? I'd be so interested in reading that. I try, try, try to make myself do it every semester, and I fail, fail, fail to follow through!
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