After reading these first 3 chapters, I have been challenged to re-think the way that I teach genre in my own classroom. I teach genre to my students in reading. In writing, I do not refer to the different types as genres of writing. I have always wondered why my students seem to have a problem with genre in reading. I think to myself, we talk about genre every time we open a book, why are they struggling with this? I never stopped to think that maybe I hadn’t scaffold-ed that aspect of reading. I loved the idea that when we study a genre, we really delve down deep into that genre. For example, when we are studying a Nate the Great story in reading, I should really immerse my students in mysteries. They need to see them, read them, bring in examples of their own, and write them to fully understand them. Students need to talk at length about the elements that separate mysteries from other genres.
I do something similar with fairy tales. The class brainstorms elements of fairy tales. As a class we read several fairy tales. (both familiar favorites and new tales they never knew existed) After reading each tale we add elements that we forgot or ones that we have noticed by comparing the tales. I see now where I should have gone a little further with my students. My students are very familiar with the elements that make up a fairy tale. I know they would know them better if I had asked them to share their favorite fairy tale from home and then asked them and guided them through writing their own fairy tale story.
I am really excited about writing my own multi-genre paper and even more excited about using it in my own classroom. I am still a little apprehensive about the project because at this point it seems to be a very challenging task for third graders. But I am sure with the appropriate scaffolding and lots of patience it will be an awesome learning experience for us all.
Oh you’ve got it!!! Marinate them in mysteries! Ultimately, we want the strategies and approaches we teach in reading to transfer into students’ writing. You are right on with your fairy tale unit. What are you thinking about for your topic? This is a project you will create and I hope that you will begin this in your classroom, but you are not “required” to complete this project with your students this semester. When you think about possibilities for your 3rd graders, you may wish to consider existing projects and how you may turn those into MG projects. : ) Thanks for your words.
Comment by fryeem — February 26, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
I would like to talk to you about your fairy tale unit to see what you do. I am also apprehensive about the project. We also do a unit at the end of the year. This year I would like to do a mystery unit with my students to end the year. Let me know what you decide to do for your topic.
Comment by jamiesward — February 28, 2008 @ 2:55 am