Week 14: Writing Conferences- Take 1

Writing Conferences- Take 1

Though I have been collecting material for my inquiry all semester I have finally gotten into my conferencing. The students are writing argumentative essays on any topic of their choosing. I have provided the students with two labs days for 4^th and three lab days for my 8^th period class.

I initially wanted to conduct my research on both of my tenth grade classes, but after trying to initiate informal conferences with the 8^th period class I realized that this wouldn’t be possible. Many of my students in my 8^th period class skip school a lot, so even if I wanted to conduct research on them it would be hard. Many of the students do not turn in any material, and have not filled out computer/ internet user passes to be able to utilize the school’s computers and they do not have technology accesses at home.

With my fourth period I first collected their thesis generators and spider charts and took notes on what we needed to fix. The students had a lot of trouble with their thesis statements and with coming up with enough subtopics to support their 3 page long paper. While the students were in the lab conducting research I walked around and talked to each student about their thesis. This was important because I got to see the student’s topics and make sure they are collecting the necessary information.

During these quick meetings I was able to answer any questions that they had about the paper. I also had the opportunity just too really talk and get to know each student and see what kind of help that they need on their papers. Some people like to work at home and others in class, we have to watch out for plagiarism (I taught a lesson on this to help prevent it from occurring.)

How can I get students who miss up to date when they don’t have computers at home?

How can I make sure students are working? Seating charts in a computer lab? Make turning things end at the end of class a requirement?

Thank heavens for edline and the file locker, so students can work on things at school save it and work on the same document at home.

We will see what happens with the formal conferences next week!! J

Though I have been collecting material for my inquiry all semester I have finally gotten into my conferencing. The students are writing argumentative essays on any topic of their choosing. I have provided the students with two labs days for 4^th and three lab days for my 8^th period class.

I initially wanted to conduct my research on both of my tenth grade classes, but after trying to initiate informal conferences with the 8^th period class I realized that this wouldn’t be possible. Many of my students in my 8^th period class skip school a lot, so even if I wanted to conduct research on them it would be hard. Many of the students do not turn in any material, and have not filled out computer/ internet user passes to be able to utilize the school’s computers and they do not have technology accesses at home.

With my fourth period I first collected their thesis generators and spider charts and took notes on what we needed to fix. The students had a lot of trouble with their thesis statements and with coming up with enough subtopics to support their 3 page long paper. While the students were in the lab conducting research I walked around and talked to each student about their thesis. This was important because I got to see the student’s topics and make sure they are collecting the necessary information.

During these quick meetings I was able to answer any questions that they had about the paper. I also had the opportunity just too really talk and get to know each student and see what kind of help that they need on their papers. Some people like to work at home and others in class, we have to watch out for plagiarism (I taught a lesson on this to help prevent it from occurring.)

How can I get students who miss up to date when they don’t have computers at home?

How can I make sure students are working? Seating charts in a computer lab? Make turning things end at the end of class a requirement?

Thank heavens for edline and the file locker, so students can work on things at school save it and work on the same document at home.

We will see what happens with the formal conferences next week!! J