Last year (school year, that is 2004-2005) my colleague and grade-five counterpart, Deborah, invited children's author Linda Negrave into her class for a series writing lessons with her students. In each session, Linda read a part of her current mystery novel, and the students then gave their feedback (real-world editing). Afterwards they were given short writing assignments to develop and explore a variety of writing skills.
The program was such a success that Linda is coming back again this year... to do the series with the teachers! Though we will not be critiquing her work, we'll have a chance to develop our writing skills and receive feedback from eachother as well as from this accomplished author.
Our first session included a round table discussion around what each of us was hoping to take away from the series. While being a better writing teacher was certainly an issue for all present, most of us were there to become better
writers. We spent some time discussing the uses of feedback and how powerfully it can affect any writer, especially the fragile, emergent writers that are children. Giving specific, honest praise is of tantamount importance in coaxing the budding writer into full bloom; without it, s/he will wither and die.
As an opening excercise, we were given 5 minutes to write about FEAR. Before beginning, we were assured that no one would read or hear the pieces, it was just an excercise to get the creative juices flowing.
It hardly seemed 5 minutes, by the time we were able to settle down in a comfortable writing silence (remember how doctors make the worst patients?... ) when Linda brought us back to the present with an invitation to share our pieces.
All of a sudden, the teachers vanished, and the table was populated by uncertain, fragile students, shivering in anticipation of being found wanting. Linda laughed, put us all at ease by reminding us that sharing was always voluntary and no one need feel threatened.
As one, two, four of us meekly volunteered to read aloud our pieces, we discovered endearing vulnerabilities in our colleagues, and the strength to overcome our fears.
While I don't pretent to be a writer (yet), for those who are curious, here is what I began:
Pirate Ship / Fear
I've always fancied the life of an astronaut - not the real world of it all, but the sheer joy of being. As an avid science-fiction reader, the limitlessness of open space intrigues and fascinates me. The freedom of weightlessness, unaffected by the fetters of gravity inspires me. My fear of heights has never seemed to be relevant - after all in outer space, there is no up or down, no heights from which to fall.
But last summer I discovered (to my intense surprise) that weightlessness does not agree with me.
Nothing of brilliance, mind you, but not a bad start after years of non-practice!
I am looking forward to our next session.
