Warne, in her article states: "All students need the freedom to play with language, freedom class time should expand and not restrict. They need to know that revision ins't just the third step in the writing process - even if the ISAT might test it that way." Bonnie found,like many of us, the incongruency between testing needs and student needs. She took a risk to describe revision more than just a change in words, which this is the traditional model that more of the students are actually being taught in the schools.
Even though she disagreed with the ISAT tests, she found a better way to approach her students into writing. She help them explore the writing process steps for themselves, and consequently the students discovery that they could enjoy their writing and still meet the criteria for the ISTAs.
Being in this workshop, I have learned from differents authors, including Warne,
that is an open window to look for alternatives that can make the process of writing enjoyable for our students rather just make the students work towards meeting ISAT standars.
5/30
13 years ago
I agree! There is no way a multiple choice test can actually "test" a writer's knowledge or abilities. Plenty of people can use a gerund correctly without knowing what a gerund is. I appreciated Bonnie's practicality in dealing with the testing issue, though. She found ways to get her students invested in the writing process, and also gave them the metaknowledge to pass the ISAT.
ReplyDeleteI love that Bonnie places that play with language in her high school classroom. It doesn't matter the age, students need to have the freedom to do that language play to build their own tool boxes of language information.
ReplyDeleteBonnie helps me see that we can combine the intentionality of teaching subskills that will both improve writing and prepare our students for standardized testing. Bonnie is truly and amazing educator!
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