Interview a classmate


Do you need another goal? Another initiative?  No – so don’t consider these thoughts as a school wide focus.  I simply want to offer some weekly thoughts and support on the writing process. 

Full disclosure – I struggle with writing –and struggled all the way through school.  My thoughts are often rambling – all over the place – and I often fall short when I attempt to put my ideas into a written communication that you will be able to follow.  But write I must – it’s part of my job – and write you must – it’s part of your job.  And, we know our students will undoubtedly need to be able to write in future jobs.  

Hopefully I can pull together some research, some sources or lessons that will support you as teachers of writing. I know many of you do a great deal of writing with your students – so please share any lessons, approaches, ideas that effective support student writing.  

Here’s an idea that seems fitting for the beginning of the year – have students interview each other and – for the older students - write a paragraph about the other classmate.  Of course, young students will need more scaffolding for this assignment.  The following website offers a free handout printable – perhaps you could use some of the ideas on the handout. 

And, we all know the benefit of the teacher writing up a paragraph after s/he has interviewed someone – and sharing the write up with the class. 





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