Chapter 9: Conference with Students
I love the idea of the whole-class share. This is where trust is really key to students. The teacher must show the students the correct way to share their thoughts on how to help the student in their writing. I do believe that this is more for older students, but all age levels could benefit. By showing the students how to do it, it will be more beneficial when the students’ actually start to critique others. This teaches them a valuable lesson on how to accept positive criticism. I had a student this year who did not like to be corrected or helped. He tried so hard and thought that it was bad if he made a mistake. So when he was corrected (in a positive way), he started to cry. By having whole-class share, this will help curb those issues. Roving conferences take place all the time in the classroom. As a teacher, we are always monitoring students as they work and how they are doing on that work. This helps us know where to go from that point.
There is a certain degree of trust needed for whole class sharing to be successful. As teachers, we really do have to put a lot of effort into making sure students feel safe. If a student doesn't feel secure, putting them on the spot could be terrifying. Hopefully, students can see the positive feelings and pride other students feel during whole class share and this will build everyone's confidence and sense of safety.
ReplyDeleteI agree, we are always completing conferences thoroughout the classroom when students are writing. I do like the form in our book. It is a great way to remember all those little things when conferencing with parents or other teachers.
ReplyDelete