Learner Agency and the Reading/Writing Connection

"Show me where you practiced what we did as writers. This develops agency"

 -Rita Palmer

Today we focussed our attention on learner agency, mentor text, engagement and the reading/writing link during our TOD at Hokowhitu School.

The basic approaches to reading of shared, guided and independent were summarised through the ELP. Our main findings were that the purpose of shared reading/writing is to co construct and model. This is best done in a small group and would lend to a workshop based approach used in MLEs. 

With guided reading/writing students take control of their own work and their learning goals are based on focus areas. Teacher knowledge of the students levels and needs are important to scaffold learning. Student to student and teacher to student discussion is key. 

Finally, independent reading/writing can be teacher directed or based around topics of interest for individuals. Here students practice the skills they have learned during guided workshops  and apply them to their own experiences. The teacher guided students by modelling independent reading/writing and tweaks work only when necessary. The process should be an enjoyable one where students share learning through a format of their choice. 

"Effective teachers work with students until they can not get it wrong"-Rita Palmer

Developing our knowledge of Mentor Text provided the opportunity to practice specific skills based teacher and devolve into learner agency. 

Questioning such as: "What have you learned as a writer?", "Show me with your fingers each new idea about the character" and "Show me where you have practiced what we did as writers." Started our thinking. The fact that we write in a certain way, for a purpose and craft our writing through editing. It was all about developing the Show not Tell culture and engaging students and reluctant writers.