Writing Groups in Language Teaching
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Writing Groups in Language Teaching Malu Sciamarelli Connecting Online 4 February 2017
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Transcript of Writing Groups in Language Teaching
Writing Groups in Language Teaching
Malu Sciamarelli
Connecting Online
4 February 2017
Writing Groups
A Writing group is a group of writers who:
• come together to write and read their work• get feedback• keep each other writing
Types of Writing Groups
• Writing practice groups – Writing
• Critique groups – Exchanging critiques
• Support groups – Talking about it
• Accountability groups – Checking in
Writing practice groups – Writing
• Core activity: writing • Use writing prompts to guide the session •Work on independent projects• Option: share their writing at the end
Critique groups – Exchanging critique
• Core activity: share their work and exchange feedback• Discussions, support, friendship•Workshop model
Support groups – Talking about it
• Core activity: discussion or conversation • Sources of encouragement • Conversation leads to where it will, writing or otherwise
Accountability groups – Checking in
• Core activity: writing •Members write independently •Meeting: deadline• Read and share their work• Report on the writing process•Move on to discussion •Members encourage each other•Meet their word count goals
Format In-person group: in class
Online group: Easy way to communicate Anything you write, you can post online or share as
attachments Tools: Google groups, Yahoo groups, Facebook groups, Blogs,
YouTube (writing + reading aloud)
Why use Writing Groups inLanguage Teaching
If it is put together right, it can be one of the best and most formidable writing tools you have for any sort of writing task.
You need to establish the foundations for what your group is all about correctly.
Students will be motivated to write, because It is a different experience and Their creativity will be developed and note forced.
Set a Structure What are your goals? Will the group be in-person or online? Will the group have a genre focus? Who will lead the group? Will there be other roles in the group? How will you ask participation? Schedules? How often will students submit? How long will the group last?
Creative Writing Lessons – ideas:
Writing Acrostic Poems: http://malusciamarelli.weebly.com/blog/diary-of-a-creative-writing-teacher-8
Cinquain Poems: http://malusciamarelli.weebly.com/blog/diary-of-a-creative-writing-teacher-7
Creative Writing Lessons – ideas:
Writing a Fractured Fairy Tale: http://malusciamarelli.weebly.com/blog/28-days-of-writing-day-16
Videos:1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE6fUI7Ef982. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSiuVnX8DW03. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVelMMAiI7Y
Follow through Making sure students share alignment on goals and expectations and then follow through.
Keep the commitments you make with your group If you don’t see many discussions happening in your online group,
start one Impact of comments/actions Get your group to a pace where students can write
Benefits reported by students: critiquing other students teaches you to assess your own work better;
you do not feel so alone in your struggle in trying a writing assignment: other students share the thrills and frustrations too;
you get to read what others have written, thus practising reading and getting more ideas for your own writing;
you complete lessons and exercises together designed to improve and develop your writing skills;
getting and receiving feedback, and scores/grades can be an emotionally draining process. With the groups, you realise that this process is never personal. After all, you are with other students who are trying all they can to help you become better at writing, the same way they want to improve their skills.
Feedback
When people are trying to learn new skills, they must get some information that tells them whether or not they are doing the right thing. Learning in the classroom is no exception. Both the mastery of content and, more importantly, the mastery of how to think require trial-and-error learning.
James Pennerbaker, The University of Texashttps://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/faculty/pennebak
Be as specific as possible The sooner the better Address the student’s advancement toward the goal Present feedback carefully Involve students in the process
Calvin and Hobbes, by Bill Watterson
Counterproductive Feedback
When students feel too strictly monitored
When students interpret feedback as an attempt to control them
When students feel an uncomfortable sense of competition
Further Reading
Books:
Reeves, Judy. Writing Alone, Writing Together. Novato: New World Library, 2002.
Rosenthal, Lisa, ed. The Writing Group Book. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2003.
Articles:
Famous Writing Friendships: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/two-heads-are-better-than-one-famous-writing-friendships/
13 Nonfiction Books About Famous Literary Groups:https://www.bustle.com/articles/21544-13-nonfiction-books-about-famous-literary-groups
Thank you!
Malu Sciamarelliwww.malusciamarelli.weebly.comemail: [email protected]
The C Groupwww.thecreativitygroup.weebly.comemail: [email protected]
