“Oh, my goodness you have to see Steve’s writing, Mrs. Snell! Maybe this is one that you should read to the class during share time today. It has amazing voice to it! You know 'voice' is very difficult for young children to grasp. Children need to hear other children’s writings to understand what we mean by “voice.” Steve did an amazing job! I am so proud of him. Look!” Mrs. Snell’s jaw drops, as she hears me bursting out of my skin, as I read Steve’s writing to her. She then whispers in my ear, “Oh my, this is the child that usually hates to write. He writes absolutely nothing most of the time! I can’t believe how motivated he has been!”
What made the difference? Team work and collaboration between the coach and the teacher, and CONFERRING DAILY with this child, that’s what made the difference! Children feel their work is valued when you encourage them EVERY DAY, and act like their writing matters. When we make it a DAILY routine to have writing conferences with writers about their writing, they know we care, they want to please, and like Steve, they take pride in work that they never even knew they could produce.
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