One of the hardest things as a teacher is when I first start writers workshop, it is often very challenging to stay away from the groups. Especially when they are whispering and I know they are discussing their "private reactions" to the expectations of the assignment. However, if you want the students to develop the trust they will need to serve as quality critical friends when responding to each other's writing then you have to allow them to "share secrets" -- even if the secrets are their commentary about you as a teacher.
At the same time, it is super hard to stay away from groups who are easily and freely talking with each other but they are focusing on the TRADITIONAL problems. Focusing on FORM before FUNCTION. For example, right now I am listening to a group really trying to help each other out brainstorming ways to approach this writing assignment, but rather than encouraging each other to freewrite (or freespeak) WHY this is an important topic to them (PURPOSE) and WHO the potential audiences are that they could speak to about this topic, they are immediately jumping to the GENRE (FORM).
Whoops. Couldn't help myself, I had to jump right in.....
Okay I'm back to writing in this journal and pretending to ignore both of the groups. I am glad to know the other group is talking although they are still getting to know each other (talking about who they know) rather than talking about their writing assignments.
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