Melia's mom falls under the spell of not knowing what to write in If You Were A Writer by Joan Lowery Nixon. It is a spell we can all relate to, adults and students alike. As I have pondered what slice of my life to write about for today's post I find myself coming back to not only breaking that spell, but the need for an audience.
I am reminded that it is a need for all of us, adults and students alike. As we were working on what makes a great book recommendation I told my students they would be sharing these with their classmates and beyond. They were surprised until I asked what good was a book recommendation if they were the only one to see it, they already know that they like the book.
The same is true with my motivation for this post.
Last week I was excited to be back on the horse after my summer hiatus. I felt really proud of my post and had work to craft it well. In addition it was close to my heart. I had it up and posted with LOADS of Tuesday left for those in the States. I even had my link up on Two Writing Teachers as soon as I had posted and then spent time reading and commenting on other blogs. Yet I had zero, yup none, nada, zilch comments on my post.
Wow. Crusher.
I am forcing myself to get something up here and remembering two things. It is about the the exercise of sitting down and writing. I have done that. My students do that. Sometimes that is not enough to get us to want to do it again - let alone again and again and again.
What am I going to do this school year to ensure my students feel that they have a genuine audience and true feedback? Thanks to all of you who didn't comment last week to help me remember this lesson.
You are too kind, Kristi, to turn a "no comments" day into a lesson so powerful. I'm sorry I didn't get by your post last week. Some days I comment on a lot, and then have to just say "enough". Maybe we should all take a few to be 'in charge of"? Best wishes to your students in their sharing, too!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get back on the Slicing horse (haven't done it since March), and that lack of feedback is one of my fears. You're brave to continue! I think about the purpose of blogging a lot (as I do it so infrequently)--is it for me or for others? Or a combination of both?
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me think!
Thank you so much for sharing - and for the reminder of how important an authentic audience is for our students. (And I'm so sorry you had a 'no comments' day! We've all been there!)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you forced yourself to post today. What a great lesson to take away from your "no-comment day". The motivation that comes with being able to share with an authentic audience is powerful for ourselves and our students.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you forced yourself to post today. What a great lesson to take away from your "no-comment day". The motivation that comes with being able to share with an authentic audience is powerful for ourselves and our students.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely commenting on this one! I may even go back and read last week's! I also took a lot of weeks off over the summer--more than I planned, and I've had to remind myself of why I write and who I write for! Love the message in your post, as well as the delivery of it. Wow. Crusher. THose two words were powerfully included!
ReplyDeleteI am totally bummed that you received no comments last week, especially after writing with such heart and intention! UGH! You are so right - it is simply about sitting and writing. And yet...
ReplyDeleteI often think there is no rhyme nor reason which posts get (many) comments and which do not. Do not take it personally. I am glad you are back here writing (and taking aways lessons for your students).
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