Writing Teachers Gather Round

[lunabee34]

I know a lot of my flist is in academia, and zulu and I have been talking about teaching and teaching writing specifically, and I decided to host a post about teaching writing.

So, if you teach or have taught writing at any age level, what are some of the strategies you use? Specific assignments? General thoughts about writing instruction?

If you have ever been a student of writing, what are some things your teachers did that worked? Failed abysmally? General thoughts about learning/teaching writing?

Recs for books, essays, or websites also appreciated.

Please feel free to share this around.

I'll put my thoughts in comments rather than the top-level post.

Comments

Re: Writing with your students

[lyr]

I like to do an exercise with my students before they write their first paper in which we compose a short essay together as a class in whatever mode their first assignment is. We talk through what to add or take out and why, so they get a chance to see the thinking process they're going to need in action. The next class period, I have them break into small groups and write essays together in the same mode. Then we can talk through how it went without me to nudge them along.

Re: Writing with your students

[lunabee34]

This is a great exercise. That's pretty much what Josh does when he teaches.

On a different note, it's been such a while since I've taught 1101 in the classroom instead of online that I find I'm being smacked in the face with their immaturity and apathy their semester in this face-to-face class. LOL