Before jumping into my blog post for this week, watch this video and listen. This sums up everything I plan to say.
Get creative with your obstacles!
Narrowing down my thoughts as a writer is tough. My usual structure for writing is just to write it all down as it comes and organize it later -- so this week was a bit of a challenge as I attempted one of the "your turn" lessons at the end of chapter 3 "What are you Really Writing About?" in Mentor Texts.
This style of writing, narrowing down what I am focusing on writing about, is tougher in the sense that I prefer the free-flow as opposed to the "organize first" planning-for-writing. During my time in public school I never thought of myself as a writer and I think it had much to do with all of the graphic organizers and flow charts that hindered my creativity. I always felt like there were never enough lines or room in the boxes or circles for me to get all my ideas down. I didn't like the idea of feeling that my ideas for writing were limited to the poorly-copied, 2D shapes on the paper. I will admit that I still struggled this week with having my writing fit into a shape -- slightly triggering some previous anxiety. BUT I found freedom in drawing my shape AFTER I had written out my thoughts. I allowed myself the space to take up as many lines as needed in order to follow the structure of the "inverted triangle," (65-67). Furthermore, I began to write a narrative piece following my inverted-triangle-strategy-extravaganza! I began writing along the side of the triangle to add in my own personal feelings of flow and freedom with the activity.
For some reason I believe that I also find it intimidating when picking out an event in my life and writing about it. Something about the fact that I could miss something in the details or not quite capture all the emotion and color from the memory is daunting and something I prefer not to explore. My typical writing sessions are more fixated on painting a picture -- of a place I haven't been before, creating something new, stringing together comforting words to the audience, attempting to speak whatever God has painted for me in that moment.
And with all of this, I do think that I pushed back a little before attempting one of the "your turn" lessons. Of all the lessons, the triangle seemed like the most concrete and the simplest to follow of all the shapes, and so I went for it.
**Here is an attached pdf of the Inverted Triangle Lesson!
After reflecting upon my thoughts, my feelings, and my endeavors with the readings and writing activities from this week, I realize the importance of teaching strategies for inspiration and organization to my students for their thoughts for their writing. I am thankful to know that more than just flow charts and Venn diagrams exist for teaching our young writers. There is freedom and flow that can occur from preparing to write. I am excited to know that I can present my students with the option of creating a shape to prepare their thoughts or allow them the space of an entire blank piece of paper in order to compose some thoughts and move pieces around in order to give them room to "fit into place." I would like to be the teacher who gives her students space and time to write in a way that makes sense to them as long as it flows and creates a story for their audience. I feel confident in this as I now have strategies to teach to my students.
I don't feel a need to restrict myself to the ways of my previous teachers. I am willing and able to present a multitude of freedoms to my students in order to strengthen them into the writers they are and can be.
Happy Like Soccer by Maribeth Boelts & illustrated by Lauren Castillo and Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina & illustrated by Angela Dominguez are two books I had the joy of exploring this past week.
*Lauren Castillo
Speaking of challenges, Happy Like Soccer really forced me to think about the challenges of the students in my classroom/school who have to truly think outside the lines in order to make it to their practices, games, and all the hoops that have to be jumped through in order to even have one member of your family at an important event in your life.
Sierra really steps outside her comfort zone and makes a leap she never intended on making. I appreciated seeing this young girl work up the courage that in the end wins her more than a game ever could!
The essence of community is strong and sweet within this story. Sierra is truly loved by more people than she even realizes. I appreciate the author, Boelts presenting us with this story of a young girl, living with her Aunt in a seemingly lower income portion of town coming out on top by the end. Sierra acknowledges the "empty lot" and "garbage can" goals she normally plays with and expresses her deep admiration for the clean and kept field she has the privilege of playing on during her Saturday games. Sierra feels like an outcast by her teammates who are used to living this life with all of their friends and families able to come every Saturday.
This book is authentic in its portrayal of the students who go without, constantly. Making sacrifices that their peers will not ever have to make. The author describes the travel that Sierra and her Auntie must make in order to make it to games and this felt raw and something that should be noticed and discussed. A simple 20 minute car ride for most students is an hour long trip through public transportation for others. The luxury and the freedoms that most students take for granted is something I am glad was brought to life in this story. *Maribeth Boelts
Mango, Abuela, and Me also presents some challenges but in a much different way. Mia is a young girl whose grandmother has recently come to live with her from "far-away." Mia's grandmother really only speaks Spanish while Mia is a native English speaker. Mia learns some interesting ways to the break the barriers between her and her grandmother in order to hear all of her grandmother's wonderful stories from her previous home.
This book is full of Spanish terms and English terms alike. Mia is quite determined to get to know her grandmother and through this she becomes a creative and mighty little being! The authenticity within this story is incredible.
Read this interview with Medina as she explains her inspiration for writing about fascinating, young Mia.
Each of these books is a fantastic source as a mentor text in order to get students thinking about a challenge they may have faced or may be currently facing! Students can practice thinking through these challenges and their writing work may even enable them to come up with a creative solution to their troubles!
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