Conferencing Lesson One

Before we begin…… I want to remind you that the most important thing about being a writer is being able to make your reader think! When you are the writer, you are practicing ALOCOGNITION : Thinking about other people’s thinking. When you are the reader, you are practicing METACOGNITION : Thinking about your own thinking.

In order to make your writing more powerful….. You are going to collect suggestions from your readers. They will be able to see what works already, and what will need more attention in order to get the idea across. Probably the most important criticism a reader can give a writer is to point out something is not clear enough

WRITING CONFERENCE THINKING A Star“I really like…” A Wish“Why don’t’ you try…” A Think “This part makes me…(Connect, Question, Infer, Visualize, Transform)”

The Writer Comments (on the Assessment Rubric) This is a spot for you, the writer, to tell your reader what you particularly want them to notice. Eg: I want you to notice that I was trying to get you to see what the cat looked like. Eg: I want you to notice that I was trying to get you to wonder about what was going to happen next. Eg: I want you to notice that I was trying to get you to connect with your own memories of a cat. Eg: I want you to notice that I was trying to get you to visualize how a cat moves.

WRITING CONFERENCE GUIDELINES The Writer DO’s Have your paper flat on the table between you and your partner when you are reading. Read in a loud, clear voice. If you find a mistake when reading, mark it quickly with a pencil so you can find it later and then continue reading. DON’T’s  Don’t hold your paper up in front of your face when you are reading.  Don’t mumble.  Don’t stop and do a lot of editing while you are reading.

WRITING CONFERENCE GUIDELINES The Reader DO’s Look at the page and follow while your partner is reading aloud. Give your partner your respect and full attention while he/she is reading. After your partner has finished reading, give a “star” (compliment), a “wish” (suggestion) and a “think” (share your thinking). DON’T’s  Don’t look at or work on your own paper while your partner is reading.  Don’t look around, talk, or play while your partner is reading.  Don’t stay silent when your partner is finished reading.  Don’t criticize or say something unkind.

Reader 1 Comments This is the reader’s opportunity to tell the writer how to make their writing even more powerful. Give them a Star, a Wish and a Think. Look at the following examples to help you get started.

Final Step Before you present your writing as a finished piece, trade with your writing partner, and have them read it carefully for the following: headings, indents, capitals, periods, question marks and exclamation points Commas, Spelling.