Chapter 9 Thoughts

Conferencing with students is something that I feel very insecure about. I am not really sure what to actually ask them and guide them. I really like the roving conferences idea that it only takes no more than 5 minutes and involves:

Note who needs help getting started

            - Affirm students' efforts

            - Encourage students to continue writing, reread, check spelling

            - Teach on the spot

            - Assess

            - Offer specific guidance

            - Take brief notes

The idea of whole class conferences is exciting to me, what a great way to involve all students and do on the spot teaching. Each child can learn and benefit from whole class confences. Whole class conferencing would be very easy for me to incorporate into my lessons and the kids would feel valued that we want to hear their stories and give them feedback. Currently my students will listen to each others work and say that it is great, nothing needs to be changed. Yikes, don't take a look at it because most of the time it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Editing conferences must come after the content conferences. I now realize this. I was trying to do way to much all at once and when I was helping with the editing mistakes, I wasn't really helping at all with the ideas. I am actually excited to incorporate conferences with students. I think that if I was to first feel comfortable with whole class conferences that one-on-one's will be much more useful to the students.

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