Write It Out Loud
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02/01/2023
An artistic gallery wall assessment of student comprehension, a.k.a. How well did students understand individual plot points within The Hero’s Journey as they relate to overall theme?
Step 1: Set up individual stations for each plot point.
Step 2: Add previous student work to activate prior knowledge.
Step 3: Let students loose to connect the dots!
Step 4:
a. Hold in the teacher-panic as students seem unsure at first of how to proceed.
b. Restrain the natural teacher urge to give students the answers, rather than trusting that your instruction was suffiencent.
c. Remind yourself that your job is to model the process you wish for students to follow.
d. Reassure yourself that your students are capable of learning, even if this process takes longer than anticipated.
Step 5: Observe that students seem stuck, take on the role of devil’s advocate, act as a ‘student,’ and go through the process with them, modeling the correct thought process out loud with as you go.
Step 6: Assess student learning through observation.
- Are students engaged?
- Are students collaborating with each other to seek answers amongst themselves?
- Are students thinking out loud?
- Are student conversations related to the assignment?
- Are students able to answer the teacher’s questions about why they chose the answers they chose?
- Are students able to question and analyze other students’ input?
Step 7: Adapt and scaffold additional layers of instruction that will reinforce relevant and thorough student comprehension.
Step 8: Remind yourself that genuine learning takes time! Remind yourself that you are a capable teacher with capable students!
Data and conclusions are still ongoing! Back to the wall for day two, we go. Stay tuned for further result
To date, today's lesson was by far the most joy-filled content I've ever delivered as a teacher! Ever. Controlled chaos, limited resources, clear guidelines, but complete creative freedom for students within this unique structural context.
Student focus, concentration, and motivation was the best it's ever been throughout this entire process. Students are learning to think, students are excited about learning, and I am excited to be able to teach the only way I've ever known how to teach, and that is by me just being "me."
And yes, I absolutely threw this stack of original, student writing into the air! I said "GO FOR IT" and stepped back, watching as students ran towards this assignment. They ripped apart papers, using only pieces they needed to deconstruct someone else's story and make their own "Messy Masterpiece."
But while this scene in real time looked like complete chaos, watching this mess unfold felt, to me, like this short video I was inspired to create. When you teach art, capturing the emotion of a moment is the most crucial piece of data you can collect....
01/11/2023
A Big, Big thank you to teaching artist and spoken word poet Preach the Poet for working with Write It Out Loud kiddos today! Let’s just say that the boys were extra fearless in how they introduced themselves, the questions they asked, and the original poetry they shared. Despite being in Dallas and teaching over a screen, the energy Preach brought to this room made these students feels extra special. My heart is overflowing with gratitude and Hope for what’s to come…
12/08/2022
When you watch your students walking in to the gym just like this, you take the photo.
Her t-shirt sums it up perfectly: “HOPE SHINES HERE” ❤️
Today we talked about self-worth. We talked about how people can place different values on the same ideas. We talked about how to decide what our individual value is, as well as what our personal worth is based on. This video clip came at the end of the session. If you knew how long I have been waiting for this kiddo to stand up and do his thing, you would understand why this is so special. This moment has been over a year in the making, and today was the day Aiden finally chose to speak up. Here are just a few seconds of his lengthy monologue to the group….
I’ve always spoken of Aiden as the protector, as being full of the kind of wisdom you don’t often see amongst seventh graders. Aiden’s mind is swimming with unique, original thought, but sometimes he struggles getting these ideas down on paper. But today was different; Aiden had to write. Instead of the normal practice of reading the writing out loud to a friend, he asked me if he could address the group. After he began, he tossed his writing aside and just spoke from the heart. “Just be yourself,” he says.
This is just the beginning of a longer piece that needs editing and practice with presentation, but Aiden has what it takes. When he speaks, his voice is filled with passion, and the points he makes includes consideration for other people that are different from him. Compassion comes easy for Aiden, which is a testament to the father who raised him, a father whom he loves and respects more than anyone. I am grateful to have students who are cared for by their fathers in this way.
As he spoke, I sat and stifled my cheers and applause so that I wouldn’t interrupt the moment. It was hard to keep these shouts inside because what Aiden chose to do on his own today has been something I’ve been hoping would come with time. He’s always had what it takes to address an audience in a moving and compelling way. Today was his moment to shine, and it certainly won’t be his last…
Bravo, Aiden!! You did it!!! My teacher heart is full, and I am tremendously honored to watch you grow and mature. Now, let’s do some more editing and practice! The stage is yours for the taking….
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