Reasons to Write - Writers Forum

RebelGoddess · 07-18-2005, 05:30 PM

I've just begun teaching a summer school course called 'Writing Enrichment' and I'm coming up blank as to what to do with my kids.

My old AP English teacher is paying me to thelp the up coming high school sophomores to get better at reading and writing and frankly, I'm not sure how to go about doing it.

Why do you, personally, write? What do you find fun about reading?

What would you want to do to get involved with reading and writing.

I'd hate for these kids, most of which are fairly bright and at this point just aren't caring enough, to never enjoy reading and writing.

Plus the teacher's syllabus sucks. : )

Any ideas?

Racheal

P.S.

I'm hoping my time with them will inspire me to continue my current work and maybe start something new!

Destany · 07-18-2005, 07:11 PM

I write because I have an overactive imagination that just won't quit. It gets my mind off of other things in my life and offers me an escape, sort of like, controlled daydreaming. But far more productive, and when people enjoy my work, it prompts me to continue.
Currently, I'm writing because I have a story in my head that just won't quit. It's been fighting for six years to get out.
I don't think that will help you though.
I enjoy reading, because unlike a movie, you get a great amount of information for a relatively small price- more bang for your buck. I tell my kids that reading a good book (one with great imagery) is like playing a movie inside your head, only you get to decide what stuff looks like... Your kids will probably laugh at you if you say that though

I get your frustration. Kids would rather veg out in front of the t.v., most have done so for so long that their imaginations are grossly underdeveloped. I feel for you, you've got a big job.
Of course, general disclaimer before I get ripped, I know that there are many young people here who write and don't particularly care about conforming. It's just not all that common.

Gehrig · 07-18-2005, 07:38 PM

I don't belive it matters what they write as long as they learn to do it well. Let them pick a subject that fires them up. Write a short Harry Potter story, or a sports squib. Write a newspaper article, or all about their favourite pop star. Once they learn the basics the only limit is their imagination.

Cheers

Creative Mind · 07-18-2005, 07:49 PM

I read because it allows me to immerse myself into an entirely new/different/exciting world... and I learn things about others and myself in the process.
I write because I can create an entire universe that is all mine. People say what I want them to say, and do what I want them to do, and in the end accomplish whatever I feel like they should have accomplished. It's all up to me, and nothing or no one can change that.

mammamaia · 07-19-2005, 06:34 AM

gehrig's got the 'write' idea!... it doesn't matter what makes us want to write, because we're already hooked or we wouldn't be here...

to hook those kids, you have to find out what they like to do best and then connect that to writing... maybe start out with a mini-quiz on what their favorite things to do and favorite places to go are... toss their favorite dreams for their future... their answers should give you plenty of ideas for what will get them writing...

if it's fun [and a little rebellious], they'll do it!

clearbluesky · 07-19-2005, 05:43 PM

As a student myself, I found the problem with even so called "creative" writing classes is that they tell you what to write, and how to write it.

You probably undestand not telling them what to write, but not not telling them how to write it. By telling them how to write it I mean laying out a strict format and telling them to stick to that or else. I don't know what grade you're teaching, but I can remember a teacher I had in Junior High that required that all transitions in essays must start with one of a group of words, and the beggining would start with "I'm going to talk about..." She refused to let us wander from that in the slightest. That was ridiculous. Sure, it helps students who are mentally retarded write, (even though they wern't the ones who wanted to write), but for the rest of us it limited what we could do and our writing was awful. I was ready to give up if I had to write like that.

And I also mean forcing a style onto your students because you favor it. I currently have a teacher who loves the excessive use of adverbs, I don't. There are lot of famous authors who don't, but that didn't seem to matter her. There are alot of styles out there that are perfectly fine. Help them develope there own style, not your style.

And like starrwriter said, don't waste your time on someone who just doesn't want to write. Have them do the work, but don't get your hopes up if they have a bad attitude. Believe me, I know alot of kids that just don't bother, they see school as a waste of time, and I've yet to see someone change their minds. Concentrate on those who want to write better, regardless of how talented they are.

Destany · 07-19-2005, 06:36 PM

Ahh, after reading those other posts, I can feel you growing more and more frustrated by the moment. I know you're wanting to find out how to inspire your students... What inspired you?
Many kids just don't see the point in writing or reading, they're so used to having information flung at them through t.v., internet, radio, and even in the classroom, they're not forced think for themselves that often.
What inspired me, when I was in school, was Edgar Allan Poe. Not because he was so brilliant or anything, but because his poems were like riddles that I had to solve. I would start off, like Maia and Gehrig said, by letting them write about whatever intrests them the most, have them come up with their own theories, or even fanfiction of their favorite t.v. or movies, sports, etc.

RebelGoddess · 07-19-2005, 08:50 PM

I'm teaching mostly kids who will be sophomore sin High School next year.

I have seven students and they're all there not because they choose to, but because their parents are forcing them.

As of right now the guy who is supposed to be running it (and is paying me to help) has them basically doing really stupid things so that they're writing.

It's strange though, these kids aren't exactly the english type so I've had to rethink my entire strategy.

I think most of them even have issues with reading out loud and quite possibly other reading/writing issues.

Now I've decided to focus less on getting them to write well (as I was told to do) and more about getting them to enjoy writing.

Because who cares if you write well if it's an unfeeling piece of bs?

I'm hoping that if I try and talk to each kid one on one that they'll open up at maybe hint at what'll make them enjoy, or at least gain something from this.

Racheal

Oracle · 07-21-2005, 01:10 AM

I would LOVE to teach a writing course. Consider yourself lucky!

Start by getting them interested. Have a big brainstorm class to get them thinking about all the things they could write about.

I also love it when a teacher gives constructive criticism in their feedback, and also points out the things the student did well, to give them encouragement.

Quote:

Now I've decided to focus less on getting them to write well (as I was told to do) and more about getting them to enjoy writing.

Because who cares if you write well if it's an unfeeling piece of bs?

If these are kids who want nothing to do with writing, than it's definitely best to focus on getting them interested.

But if a few students start showing exceptional interest, then give them feedback to help them write well. I hate it when teachers give me too much slack, because I'm focused on improving my abilities.

mammamaia · 07-21-2005, 07:38 AM

as a jump-start, why not ask them to write a 1-page 'i wish' bio?... in other words, their bio as they'd like it to be, if they could change who/what they are...

let them write it in any form they like, tell them they're not going to be graded for grammar, but to just write it as well as they can and not worry about technical perfection...

that should warm them up to writing, since they can let their imaginations run rampant and you'll get inside their heads without having to break down the door...

Vincent Gray · 07-21-2005, 11:19 PM

For a bit of motivation you could mention that more communication is becoming writing, and it well help them in getting a job and their careers. Because of cover letters and resumes and memos and e-mail and Instant Messenger and reports and stuff. Also it helps them if they plan to continue school since a lot of their grade may be determined by papers they write, which they'll have to write well. It might not be a huge motivation for a lot of people but it can at least answer "Why will I ever need to learn this?" that it seems every teacher in the world has to deal with.

Also make sure you give them basic tips and stuff, tell them to try to be concise, that it's okay to use smaller words. A lot of people seem to think writing well is unlearnable since they don't see themselves getting better from practice alone like they do with sports.