Comments on: Good Writing Is More than Organization (why I hate formula writing curriculum)

By: Mr. Wagner

Mr. Wagner — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 18:06:00 +0000

To be fair, the Language standards and various other writing standards do focus on figurative language in the CCSS. I understand that there are those opposed to all or some of the CCSS, but it is not a fair representative to say that it only focuses on organization. I enjoyed your article here, and I agree with many of your points. Thanks.

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 15:26:55 +0000

In reply to Kim Kautzer. so glad you shared, Kim - thanks!

By: Kim Kautzer

Kim Kautzer — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 23:55:00 +0000

You’re so right! Formula writing in and of itself is stifling and restrictive, but when the curriculum (or the teacher) also introduces elements of voice, imagery, sensory detail, strong word choice, and sentence variation, organization can take wing.

Our company’s curriculum, WriteShop, primarily targets homeschoolers. I’m biased, I know–but I think it’s the best of both worlds! http://www.writeshop.com

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:58:40 +0000

In reply to AG Measuredmom. thanks, you and Becky are amazing educators! :)

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:56:58 +0000

In reply to A Davis. they're as bored with their horrid writing as we are . . . I agree with you -- writing needs their voice, that pizazz that makes it sound like them. ~ Melissa

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:55:49 +0000

In reply to Lenkaland. I LOVE how you think & teach, Lenka!! :)

By: Lenkaland

Lenkaland — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 15:23:00 +0000

Yes, yes, yes- turning writing into formulas makes me sad :(. I think there is a place for knowing the formula- but especially in the early grades, we should be kindling fires. Ignite the love of sharing stories and ideas. I do a lot of Writer’s Workshops using a drawing as a story launch pad- draw a castle or a pirate ship or a dragon. Then the children dictate the story to me. What’s happening? How do they feel? It creates a sense of ownership and delight in their own process. And when their writing skills are stronger, it won’t be so much work to write those stories for themselves :). I hope we can find a place to keep celebrating how kids see the world…

By: A Davis

A Davis — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I could not agree more about you comments in regards to over organizing the writing process. I was always told that the definition of essay was ‘your say’. That means your opinion, your way.
In addition to this, I only ever think that using scripted structures works as a starting point. However, it never is. So often students write using the predetermined structure and is it little wonder that students take little care in the banal essays they write.