Excellence in Expository Writing
Our staff had the privilege of working with Lynn Gatto today. Lynn taught for over 30 years in Rochester, NY and was named NY Teacher of the Year. She is the real deal! She talked to our group about using nonfiction writing across the content areas and gave many examples of the writing she did with her own students. She was lucky enough to loop with her kids from 2nd grade to 4th grade. I must say, her kids were lucky to have her for a teacher. I wanted to be in her class! Her message was strong and one that I wholeheartedly agree with…students need to write for authentic purposes and audiences. Yes, we need to do “writing for school” (i.e. writing to pass the test), but what is most important is that the writing we ask our students to do is real life writing. We need to ask ourselves hard questions: What are we asking our students to write? Why are we asking them to write a particular piece? What purpose does the writing serve? Who will read the writing? Does the writing help students become writers for real life?
I’m not saying that we shouldn’t prepare students for state tests, but it should not dictate our writing programs. It has its place, but its a small place. When will our students ever be asked to write an extended response in the real world? And I will argue with anyone that if we give students enough authentic purposes to write, they’ll be able to answer those 4 point questions. I saw my own 4th graders be able to do it.
Lynn’s visit today just validated everything I believe in. I’m already thinking of ways to broaden my units next year and integrate my curriculum in some more ways. Spending time with people like her who are passionate about what they do and love going to work with kids every day are the kind of people I want to spend time with. I must say that I am lucky enough to do that very thing every day!
