Ranting and Writing

​This morning began our second week of Summer Institute.  First, Lil had us write about some things that really irked us about school.  Then we circled up in the middle of the room, as we have almost every day since SI began.  This morning's warm-up was a rant.  We stood in a circle as Lil and Lacy explained the rules.  Everyone would face outward in the circle except when they felt moved to rant.  Whoever was ranting had to continue to do so until the next person jumped in to start their ranting topics.  

Our rants ranged from everything to parents' rights about students' education to breast milk to money to buy Daybooks for our students.  Though we had our backs turned to the center of the circle, I felt that we really supported one another as we each jumped in venting about how we felt about the topic at hand.  Then once the activity had been brought to a close by a lovely demonstration of a teacher robot complete with motions and voice ("Feed me pacing guides.  Yum yum.") we began to brainstorm about how the activity could be used in our classes.

​I suggested that we use it for students to talk about a reading that might have been difficult for them, allowing them to get their ideas going as they pondered what they had read.  We also talked about how it could be a great way to let students just talk about what they have a passion for, showing them that they are the experts on something.  

After some ranting, Aileen began her demonstration based on Harry Noden's book ​Image Grammar.  ​After walking through some major concepts of the book, Aileen had us do some sample activities of working with appositives, adjectives out of order, etc.  She also made us a handy little foldable that will remind us of what we learned.

When Aileen's demo was over, we launched into a pretty awesome discussion about the way we discuss grammar.  One of the comments that came up was how frightening some of the terminology was to use--things like absolutes and participles.  However, it was easy to see how they enhanced writing and were easy to play with once we got over the terms.  

Aileen's demo led us nicely into Tara's demo about Writing Circles.  We chose a social studies topic that we were interested in and then began to work in groups.  As a group we picked a large idea that we would focus on.  Then, each of us wrote individually and we responded to each other's pieces.  Then each group shared out one of the pieces.  One group wrote about the Casey Anthony trial, one about the devastation from Katrina, one about revolution, one about conflict, and my group wrote about poverty.  As we wrapped up the demo, the discussion turned to genres--whether they were merely "containers" to pick and choose from or the other aspects of them we had to consider when using them as writers.  

After lunch we discussed articles from 4 different authors about assessment.  We moved into groups, examining the articles with others who had read the same one.  Then Sally "jigsawed" us until we had someone from each article group talking to each other.  We channeled our authors, arguing with one another and looking how our views intersected and pressed on each other.  

The last thing we worked on was beginning work on our portfolio for SI.  I can't believe SI only has 4 days left!   But it's exciting to go ahead and start looking at all the learning that has taken place.  

A lot of questions were raised today, and some good conversations were had.  More to come as I reflect later this evening about my inquiry. :)