6th Grade
Throughout my writing endeavor, I can’t recall a time where I have experienced a true writing workshop. I have however had elements of a writing workshop in some of my classes. I specifically remember an experience I had in 6th grade with Mrs. Churchill.
Finally in the middle school! Better lunch choices, bigger desks and best of all, I get to switch classes every hour. I was ecstatic. Sixth grade was a learning experience in so many ways, especially Mrs. Churchill.
Mrs. Churchill was very strict. You did what she said, when she said, and how she said to do it. Everyone did. Even the “naughty” kids did what Mrs. Churchill said. Mrs. Churchill gave intense consequences for anything any student did wrong. I chose to learn this the hard way. Multiple detentions and weeks of being grounded from my parents, I finally chose to follow Mrs. Churchill’s expectations.
I never have enjoyed writing- especially in 6th grade. I believe one reason I didn’t enjoy writing was because I never thought I was good at it. I felt like no matter what I did it was never good enough. Eventually, getting a C or B on a paper was completely acceptable in my eyes.
As my 6th grade year was close to concluding, Mrs. Churchill met with each student to discuss their papers they have completed throughout the year. Every single student dreaded this. I remember the older students telling me that you HAD to sit with Mrs. Churchill one-on-one for a long time. I did not want to participate in this.
Luckily, my last name is towards the end of the alphabet so I wouldn’t have to go first. I could hear how it went from other students first. WRONG! Mrs. Churchill decided to from the end of the alphabet. I had to go first!
I remember walking up to her desk in complete fear. All my expectations and assumptions how this conference was going to be were completely inaccurate. I remember getting an earful on how great my writing was and how far I have came along. In fact, I don’t know if I heard any negative remarks towards any of my papers. I couldn’t believe it! Me, a good writer? No way! Still to this day, I’m not 100% convinced I can write well, but Mrs. Churchill gave me a lot of confidence inn myself that I am able to be a good writer.
The conferences with Mrs. Churchill were not long. They were 5-10 minutes total. However, those 5-10 minutes she spent with me gave me a much better attitude towards writing.
Finally in the middle school! Better lunch choices, bigger desks and best of all, I get to switch classes every hour. I was ecstatic. Sixth grade was a learning experience in so many ways, especially Mrs. Churchill.
Mrs. Churchill was very strict. You did what she said, when she said, and how she said to do it. Everyone did. Even the “naughty” kids did what Mrs. Churchill said. Mrs. Churchill gave intense consequences for anything any student did wrong. I chose to learn this the hard way. Multiple detentions and weeks of being grounded from my parents, I finally chose to follow Mrs. Churchill’s expectations.
I never have enjoyed writing- especially in 6th grade. I believe one reason I didn’t enjoy writing was because I never thought I was good at it. I felt like no matter what I did it was never good enough. Eventually, getting a C or B on a paper was completely acceptable in my eyes.
As my 6th grade year was close to concluding, Mrs. Churchill met with each student to discuss their papers they have completed throughout the year. Every single student dreaded this. I remember the older students telling me that you HAD to sit with Mrs. Churchill one-on-one for a long time. I did not want to participate in this.
Luckily, my last name is towards the end of the alphabet so I wouldn’t have to go first. I could hear how it went from other students first. WRONG! Mrs. Churchill decided to from the end of the alphabet. I had to go first!
I remember walking up to her desk in complete fear. All my expectations and assumptions how this conference was going to be were completely inaccurate. I remember getting an earful on how great my writing was and how far I have came along. In fact, I don’t know if I heard any negative remarks towards any of my papers. I couldn’t believe it! Me, a good writer? No way! Still to this day, I’m not 100% convinced I can write well, but Mrs. Churchill gave me a lot of confidence inn myself that I am able to be a good writer.
The conferences with Mrs. Churchill were not long. They were 5-10 minutes total. However, those 5-10 minutes she spent with me gave me a much better attitude towards writing.
7th Grade
Mr. Bobinski’s 7th grade E.L.A. class had many characteristics of a literature and rhetorical framework. I specifically remember him using the “5-paragraph” method. In fact, he had a poster of a sandwich in his room that stated what each paragraph is supposed to entail.
My class was assigned multiple 5-paragraph assignments. One in particular I remember writing about was a research paper. The topic was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” There were a series of questions that each student had to research and include in our paper. I remember I thought I was so funny because I stated I wanted to be an airline stuartist. I really did not want to be an airline stuartist, but I was trying to be “cool” for Mr. Bobinski.
Mr. Bobinski gave us a sheet of paper that had each paragraph broken down that stated what information was to be included in each paragraph. Students were to look up that information and write in the correct box. Once all the information was collected and Mr. Bobinski “okayed” it, student could begin writing their final paper.
I remember writing mine and using exactly what was in each box. I didn’t look up any information that was not required. I only wrote what I had in the box. Reflecting on this, I did learn about this profession, I learned valuable research skills and I also learned how to organize a paper. However, it did not push me or any other student to do more than what is necessary. I did exactly what the teacher wanted me to do. This sounds good in theory, but I believe students should be encouraged to look up information that directly interest them, write more than 5-paragraphs, add pictures, etc.
To add to me trying to be funny, part of this assignment was to present our information to our classmates and dress up like our desired profession. I remember being so embarrassed! Most of my classmates were lawyers, teachers, doctors, etc. and were able to wear clothes that middle school students considered acceptable. I remember my mom taking me shopping for a blue dress and white blouse. I was so embarrassed that I had to wear this in front of my classmates. I also learned a valuable lesson about trying to be funny or “cool.”
My class was assigned multiple 5-paragraph assignments. One in particular I remember writing about was a research paper. The topic was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” There were a series of questions that each student had to research and include in our paper. I remember I thought I was so funny because I stated I wanted to be an airline stuartist. I really did not want to be an airline stuartist, but I was trying to be “cool” for Mr. Bobinski.
Mr. Bobinski gave us a sheet of paper that had each paragraph broken down that stated what information was to be included in each paragraph. Students were to look up that information and write in the correct box. Once all the information was collected and Mr. Bobinski “okayed” it, student could begin writing their final paper.
I remember writing mine and using exactly what was in each box. I didn’t look up any information that was not required. I only wrote what I had in the box. Reflecting on this, I did learn about this profession, I learned valuable research skills and I also learned how to organize a paper. However, it did not push me or any other student to do more than what is necessary. I did exactly what the teacher wanted me to do. This sounds good in theory, but I believe students should be encouraged to look up information that directly interest them, write more than 5-paragraphs, add pictures, etc.
To add to me trying to be funny, part of this assignment was to present our information to our classmates and dress up like our desired profession. I remember being so embarrassed! Most of my classmates were lawyers, teachers, doctors, etc. and were able to wear clothes that middle school students considered acceptable. I remember my mom taking me shopping for a blue dress and white blouse. I was so embarrassed that I had to wear this in front of my classmates. I also learned a valuable lesson about trying to be funny or “cool.”