As you work on Draft #1 of your memoir, address both parts of this:
1. How is it going? What is easiest for you? Hardest for you?
2. What part of this process/assignment will you use with your future students? Or if you're in a content area, how could you adapt this for your classroom?
As always, be sure to respond to at least 4 classmates' blog posts.
The hardest thing for me about writing a memoir was choosing a topic to write about. I don't really like writing about myself. It seemed like I couldn't get anywhere with the topics I chose and they weren't what I really wanted to write about. I finally figured out a topic when I was talking to my friends about it and just telling stories. That's when it became more fun and easier to write about.I think I would definitely use the map of home and seeds with my future students because it helped to generate lots of ideas, which is the hardest part in my opinion. I would also use sharing with other people because it's always helpful to hear other peoples' ideas on what they liked and how to improve.
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate. Choosing topics and starting a writing assignment always stresses me out. I am glad you were able to find a topic that works for you! That sounds like a great idea. The seeds and the sharing really helped me come up with ideas. I can definitely see the benefits from the student perspective. Sharing ideas can also make the assignment less intimidating to students if they have an idea of what their classmates will be writing about. They can branch off of common experiences and write about their own perspectives if it is harder for them to come up with ideas on their own.
DeleteI, too, like creating the seeds list to help students come up with writing prompts on their own. I know teachers that have saved the all about me sheets that the students fill out at the beginning of the years so if a student is struggling with coming up with something to write or a book to read, she just looks back at that sheet and suggests a couple of things that the student is interested in.
DeleteI think the memories that are the easiest to recall are the ones that are connected to strong emotions. The idea of the seeds lists is one great way to think of topics, but another is to think of a specific emotion and you will probably have a memory or a moment that instantly pops into your head. Basing a memoir assignment on a specific emotion would be an interesting route to take with students.
DeleteEmma, I totally agree with you. Strong emotions make for the best writing. In my experience, when I am riding am emotional wave in writing, I write my very best.
DeleteKrista, I was the same way I was deciding on a topic. I find it strange writing about my life and my experiences but I've grown to like it during this class. It's almost been kind of therapeutic! When I was at home with my roommates, we all started talking about old childhood memories and even high school memories and that made it easier for me to decide what to write about.
DeleteIt's so great that you finally found your topic in the stories that you were telling friends. Often times those make the best topics for memoirs! Talking it out is often how I come up with topics for all of my papers, not just the creative ones. My mom is always up for listening to me and helping me find a topic that speaks to me. It's so important to find those people as a writer, whether they be family or classmates.
DeleteI really like this idea! I think I would use this in my future classroom... allowing students to talk to each other as a form of brainstorming. It's sometimes difficult for students to just think things up, especially when it is about themselves. I know I worried when writing mine what people would think. It's not like they would just be critiquing my writing, they'd also be critiquing my story in and of itself. I think allowing students to converse with one another would give them the opportunity to receive non-formal feedback from one another; things like laughs, facial expressions, and other signs of interest.
DeleteYes, choosing the topic was painful. I definitely understand you as it took me a while to decide what I want to focus on and/or write about. And well I also don't prefer writing about myself which made selecting a topic even more difficult. However, I also found the map of home and seeds helpful as it helped me to finally decide what I want to write about.
DeleteWhen I came to class today, I had finished my memoir. I had reviewed it before class and was read to turn it in. The activity was a little stressful for me because I do not particularly enjoy grammatical work. As a young student (and still to this day), I do not know all of the grammatical terminology. I was confident in my peace until I had to find the adverbs. I did not remember what an adverb was until it was reexplained in class. The hardest part writing it was getting a flow. I don't typically remember every part of every event. I remember the parts with high emotions or actions involved. I solved this by splitting up my story. I think that the whole process is quite useful to use with my future students. I am in social studies, but I would love to have an activity that adapts a memoir from a historical figure's perspective during a historical event or from the student's perspective as if they were present during the event.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with filling in all the pieces of my story as well. I can clearly remember the beginning and what happened before and i can explain the aftermath of what happened, but my story happened all so fast and with such high stress that my mind has almost blacked parts of it out. I am afraid that parts of my memoir are going to sound like someone else wrote it becuse i don't have as much detail and emotion in it, because i simply cannot remember all of it.
DeleteI agree that it's hard to remember all of the grammar terms, like adverbs. I didn't know what an adverb was either, until she told us. Even then, I couldn't find them in my paper. I also agree that it's hard to remember every part of the story. My memoir is from when I was in elementary school, so there are a lot of details I can't remember. I think it's a really good idea to have kids write as if they were part of a historical event. It would definitely help them remember the information better if they felt like they were a part of it.
DeleteGrammar can be difficult..luckily I love to break all the conventions, for flair. However, I guess to break the rules for style you still need to know them. I do not remember learning any grammar before sophomore year. I mostly learned my grammar through writing poorly and being called out on it. Trial and error, for life.
DeleteI love the idea of using this activity to write from a historical person's perspective. That can really make the students think about how different life would be in that time period and force them to synthesize information and use it creatively.
DeleteThis is a very interesting point, Meredith. I wonder if a lot of students would feel a lack of confidence about their grammatical abilities, as you phrase it. This could really lend itself to a grammar lesson (at least in an English classroom). We could review rules, discuss them in class, and then have practice material right in front of us by editing our own papers!
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ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed using different colored highlighters and a pen to take apart my memoir and fix it. When i read it to turn in i thought it was great and i couldn't see a lot that needed help, but when we looked over it with different colored highlighters in the last class i realized how much i could change and how i can really improve my writing. It didn't make me feel like a bad writer, but like a reflective one that is always trying to improve.
ReplyDeleteThe highlighting system will be used in my class. In high school i learned a similar technique using colored pencils for looking at poetry. The color really helps the eye focus in on words rather than just seeing an overwhelming white page covered in black letters.
I loved the different colors of highlighters too! That is very interesting! I am glad that this method worked so well for you! What kinds of words are you going to ask your students to circle? What would you want your students to focus on?
DeleteI am a firm believer in using colorful pens when reviewing someone's paper and I never use red ink. I think the bright colors draw immediate attention to areas that are important when a student gets back a revised paper and he or she can instantly know where to look for those suggestions.
DeleteI guess I am old school, because I am all about the red pen. It lets students know what could be better. There's no ambiguity about what could be better or changed.
DeleteOkay so normally I read the blogs and don't comment, but I'm going to seize this as a teachable moment.... Even old school teachers know not to use red pens anymore. It is a bygone era, because the red ink causes anxiety in students...and it biases teachers as they grade. Wanting to get their attention can be done in green or purple too. Knowing what could be improved shouldn't be stressful not should your feedback be. You should be building their confidence, not tearing it down. When I write all over your writings, I consciously focus on as much positive as constructive. I hope you will too! There is vast research to support this too. When teachers pick up a red pen, they are far more critical and negative.
Deletehttp://www.dailynews.com/20100620/red-ink-can-affect-teachers-grading
Lindsay, i totally agree with you here. When i handed in my memoir i thought i had a pretty good grasp on things and didn't think much about it being handed back to me with a lot of highlighted. I now realize that my work will never be PERFECT...
DeleteAlex, i think when certain students get back a paper with a lot of red ink on it it really doesnt make them feel go, no matter the grade. Red ink can feel intimidating and that no matter how positive the comment it will fee negative.
I agree that red ink can feel very threatening but I loved the highlighter exercise as well. It was very good for visual learners because they are able to see exact places where a correction might be needed. Sometimes I find it's very hard to revise my own writing but I thought this exercise was very helpful!
DeleteI think this is an interesting observation in reference to perfectionist type students. I know I was definitely one of those in high school. I used to spend up to 10 hours on homework in a day (I know that sounds absurd, but it's true). I wanted my work to be perfect as is, when I turned it in. Dr. Bum's practice of allowing us to turn back in work that we didn't do so well on has been such a relief for me. Although my college schedule does not allow 10 hours of homework a day, I still have worries about turning in work that isn't done to my standards (which are high). Giving students colors and shapes for their papers, although it at first seems like something for younger students, is so much more encouraging and constructive than black or red ink, which feel like criticisms. I will definitely use this in my classroom!
DeleteOne of my favorite parts about this process is how many times we have been bringing in drafts and having people give feedback on them. This is so different than in high school where there was one day devoted to peer editing for an assignment and that was it. This allows for more opportunities for a written work to be ironed out and given enough attention to let it grow to its full potential. The easiest thing for me to do is write. I am so used to writing that it is really second nature to me and I can just write something down and go from there. The hardest part is staying away from passive voice. I tend to use it a lot in my writing and I don't notice I am using it until someone points it out.
ReplyDeleteIn my classroom I would adapt the activity we did on Thursday into one that multitasks. My students would circle up and pass around their papers like we did, but what they would do with them is different. For the first portion of class, students will be instructed to underline words or phrases they liked in their peers papers and comment positively about it. Then, everyone would look for areas that need help, like voice or tone. Lastly, the students would need to recommend polish ideas for the papers. This allows the students to focus on one part of the revising process we did in class at a time without rushing them and this can allow a more in depth analysis of students' works.
I agree with you about the difference between high school peer editing and college peer editing. I think it's really helpful to have different people and do it multiple times so you can get a lot of perspectives. I also agree with you that it's important not to rush students, so they can end up with the best quality paper.
DeleteI have enjoyed the peer editing as well. I really like getting feedback on my piece, whether it is praise or constructive criticism. Normally, I don't like writing and I lack confidence with my writings. When we peer edit though, I feel so much better about what I have written! Everyone in the class is so eager to help and make suggestions.
DeleteI completely agree that it is so wonderful to have multiple days of peer editing! If we even had peer editing in class in high school, it was only for a day. I think that the multiple days of editing helps me to make my story better with everybody's feedback on my work.
DeleteI really enjoy reading others feedback about my work. i like to see what everyone has to say about what they want to hear from my writing!
DeleteI really like the idea you came up with. That sounds like it will be very effective and enjoyable.
DeleteThe memoir project has been pretty fun for me to do. I enjoy telling stories about myself and my friends and family. Writing creative nonfiction (memoirs) has always been my favorite type of creative writing. The hardest part for me so far is to implement the "show don't tell" strategy. I just want to pound out the story exactly how I thought about it and not think about all the sensory details. But to have a more powerful story, I know I need to use dialogue and good description.
ReplyDeleteI loved doing the silent writing workshop in class, I think it was really effective, and I think it could be incredible to see what a high school English classroom can do with a writing workshop. I can definitely see myself using that strategy with my classes, especially classes that have a lot of analytical essay writing, or even creative writing.
There's just something fun about telling people about your life. I think we all, at least hopefully, find some value in our lives, and believe that others can as well.
DeleteI have the same problem with trying to add sensory details, rather than just typing it out really fast. It was helpful for me to just type what I remembered first, so I didn't forget it and then add details later on.
DeleteI definitely find that "show don't tell" is much harder to do than to say in my writing. I want to explain the events from my point of view; what, how, when, where, and why something was happening in my mind. I want people to know every fact immediately rather than "uncovering the truth." How would you help students that struggle with this strategy improve their use of the strategy and their writing?
DeleteMaria, I'm the same way. I understand "show, don't tell" and I can pick it out in the writing's of others, but I have trouble applying it to my own writing! Peer editing has helped though!
DeleteI agree with your statement about the silent writing process being effective. i enjoyed it because of both the silence because my concentration level was high, and that the papers were constantly in motion and you weren't really sure where your paper was at any given moment.
DeleteI like writing memoir as much as anyone else for many reasons but my heart really belongs to writing fiction. I love coming up with my own characters, stories, and worlds but I often bring in my own experiences to influence my fictional world.
DeleteI agree with you completely! I can see myself doing writing workshop's in my classroom. I love this most recent warm up where we got to write from the guns point of view. I hope to try this technique one day!
DeleteI agree. I never have really had an opportunity like this before, with how extensive we have gone with our memoir. I really enjoy writing about something I have personally experienced.
DeleteThis really isn't hard for me. I love writing, especially with a post-modern twist!!! When I start writing, it just comes out like a whirlwind. I will use a memoir unit with my students...there is nothing easier to write about than your own life. Every person is an expert on one thing, at least, their own life.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that there's nothing easier to write about than your own life. I think it's harder for me to write about my own life because I don't necessarily want everyone to read about me and it's harder to write creatively about something that's non-fiction. I would feel more comfortable writing a fiction story. I do think there is value in writing a memoir, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
DeleteThat is wonderful that you are so enthusiastic about writing! What makes you enthusiastic? What would you suggest to help other students get enthusiastic too? And I actually disagree with you. I find that don't always understand what they do or why they do something. I think that the events are easy to state, yes, but it is hard for an individual to explain their thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
DeleteAlex, it's awesome that you love to write! I wish I had that same passion. How long have you enjoyed writing? Have you had to write a lot of memoirs in the past? I have to agree with Krista though, I don't think it's always easy to write about your own life. Personally, I've struggled with this in the past!
DeleteI love writing too! I do not always find it the easiest to write about my own life though because it can be hard to open up about certain aspects of my life. I don't think I am even an expert on myself half the time because I am constantly changing and evolving based on new experiences which can influence the scope of my memories.
DeleteI agree that the freedom and the flexibility to write as you is very liberating and fun in this piece. It's so nice that the format is up to how you want to best tell your story. I really love writing but I enjoyed this piece a lot. I'm a little sad to see it come to an end.
DeleteI agree! Writing about your own experiences is a lot of fun, and for high school students who may not have a great love for writing, a memoir unit will have them engaged and excited to write.
DeleteMegan: I haven't always loved writing...I used to want to be an engineer, how BORING! I really came into my own, as far as loving writing, my junior year of high school. I had an EXCELLENT teacher, he is one of the best writers I personally know (besides Dr. Bum of course ;) ). No I've only written a couple of memoirs; I just really enjoy it.
DeleteEmma: As far as knowing myself, hey I struggle too, but I do know what I have problems with, and in case you guys couldn't tell through my writing, I struggle so much with knowing an Omni-powerful force in the universe..it is my biggest struggle...I was raised a Christian and went to church every Sunday for nigh on 15 years, until I got a job...I've read things and seen things that have planted seeds of doubt in my mind and I just really struggle with that on a daily basis, I really do...I know there has to be something...its the what that gets me...but that's probably way more info than anyone needed so um, yea...
I think your enthusiasm is fantastic, and will really inspire students. You have to be aware,though, that personal writing can actually be very difficult for some students. They may have gone through a lot in their lives, or their minds may be full of mainly negative memories. They may feel self-conscious about the stories they have to tell. I personally agree that memoirs are easy, because I love writing, and am constantly searching for ways to relate the world to myself. But we have to remember that our students will not always naturally think the same way. They may need gentle encouragement and prodding.
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ReplyDelete1. The hardest part for me was getting started and deciding where I wanted to go with my actual story. I knew the experience I wanted to write about, but I just didn’t know how to end it and I wasn’t sure which details to include. I found it pretty easy to write once I got started though, especially since I don’t like writing at all. I’ve found writing this memoir enjoyable.
ReplyDelete2. I loved the steps we took in our class to decide what we wanted to write about. The monsters, scars, and map of home really made me think about memories and my past. I like how we were given options and had to start multiple stories. Adapting this to a science class may be a bit difficult. Something that would be cool would be to have students write a memoir from a famous scientist’s point of view.
I agree with megan that i don't really enjoy writing, but this class and this project has been different. It was interesting to think into my past of some funny stories or incidents that have happened to me and start a memoir for a couple different stories before i chose one to stick with. That sticking with it part was hard though. I learned that i can start a lot of stories, but rememering all the middle pieces is hard and ending a story is really hard!
DeleteEndings have always been a struggle for me as well, even on this project. It's hard when you have a story in your head that has happened, but you have to figure out when would be a good stopping point for the plot structure. I think that is the beauty of all of the peer editing, we get to test out some of our ideas and check what is the most effective ending to our story.
DeleteI loved how Dr. Bum made us pool our ideas. When we were brainstorming seeds i could not decide whether i wanted to write in a dark or positive light. The act of me writing down my ideas at different moments of the writing process made it easier to come up with a solid starting point.
DeleteI was completely different with my difficulties, while you already knew what you wanted to write about, I had no idea what I was going to discuss. Then came the same challenges that you faced, finding a beginning and an ending.
DeleteYes, the techniques Dr. Bum used inside the classroom were all extremely helpful in creating my memoir. Seeds, warm-up's, map of home, monster prompts, etc. helped me decide what I want to write, in what person, at which location, and form what perspective.
DeleteThe memoir process was difficult for me to get started. i had a tough time thinking about what my main focus would be, meaning what time in my life i wanted to write about..Well when i started writing down seeds i first thought i would write about some negative scar i had. that part was really hard to me because i was now forced to now put my feelings into words so that others would see what i see. As i brainstormed more i decided to come up with positive seed ideas about happy times in my life, this made the process easier because i discovered that i am not a very good "dark" writer. At times it was even hard to stop myself from writing and as i hit certain parts of my story the flow was alive and well. I think that memoir writing is an essential component of writers workshop because it takes students out of their comfort zone!
ReplyDeleteThis is just the opposite for me. I found writing dark pieces were a lot easier than happy ones. I wouldn't say that I am a dark person, I just think for me there is a lot of emotion behind those situations and a lot of privacy which gives me a lot more freedom to write about because they are stories people have no idea even happened.
DeleteI really enjoy the memoir process especially because I like to blog, however, it was not easy. The memoir process was difficult for me because of the subject I wanted to write about. Although, I'm past the situation that happened between my parents it is still extremely difficult because my entire life has changed by it. My parents are completely different people. I am now entirely self sufficient, and more often than not I am a parent more that a sister or a daughter. I was very critical of my piece because of the touchiness of the topic but I have enjoyed this process. When I do this in my classroom I would make sure that my students can write their memoir in whatever format they wish. Poetry, third person, short, or long is all ok. I know the grading might be difficult but I believe their is so much value in creativity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Mahogany, I would give my students a complete freedom of choosing a format of their memoir. I would also encourage them to be as creative as possible, but also not to avoid writing about topics and the subjects that may seem difficult or that represent an emotional burden for them.
DeleteI really enjoy the memoir process. I think it is a lot of fun to think back to a moment, that for me, shaped who I am today. The easiest part for me is pulling from that moment and acting like I am right back in it. It's easy to write from an experience, especially something you are passionate about, so that has come very easily so far. The hardest par for me is thinking back to dialogue that occurred. Since my memoir is about something that happened four years ago, I can remember some dialogue, but not in the important parts. I will use a memoir unit in my classroom, because I believe writing about ones own life is easy, and fun to write about.
ReplyDelete1. I think the easiest thing about this memoir writing process was developing ideas. Ideas were popping in my mind left and right, but this leads to my hardest part, which was narrowing down. I couldn't figure out how to make things flow, and how to work all of my ideas together. This leads to how I will use this in my classroom...
ReplyDelete2. I LOVED the PQP. It was so difficult, at first, to provide a question and polish for every piece, but it became a lot easier with practice. I loved receiving feedback in that format, because it was never negative... always encouraging and constructive. I want my students to feel safe about writing in my classroom, and I think this is an awesome way to instigate that.
Yes, I loved the PQP as well :)
DeleteIt helped me so much in finalizing my memoir. I was not even aware of how important and helpful your feedback's will be for completing this assignment.
The hardest part for me was choosing the topic. I simply could not come up with something that I was comfortable enough to share with others. I do write a lot, but I am definitely not the main character of my stories, thus this assignment was a big challenge for me. However, once I came up with the topic and started writing a memoir, I had a hard time deciding whether I should write an extended version of it, or simply keep it shorter and more simple. What helped me the most in writing my memoir were PQP's. From being uncomfortable of sharing it with others, I reached the point where I was not able of completing it until I got the feedback from the classmates. I would use PQP's within my classroom to make students more comfortable of sharing their works with others, as well as to make them comfortable of receiving and giving criteria. PQP is definitely a good way of learning to accept and use criticism in the best way.
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