Written Conversations

Do you use written conversations in your class? If so, how do you use it or how do you like it? I just began using them this week in my class and I love it! It literally kept my students engaged and I love how it allows students to talk about what they're learning. I constantly have to explain to my students that when we are reading, we should be actively engaged with the text. That means tracking our thinking, asking questions about the text, responding to the text and making connections. Some of my students are consistently showing me that they are actively engaged with the text whereas some of my little ones do not comprehend the purpose of this reading technique. 

So, to help them out some I incorporated written conversations into a lesson earlier this week. As mentioned, they really took to it and conversed with each other about the text. We are currently working on an unit about Wolves and non-fiction text features. I really didn't think this unit would be enjoyable to them, but when you make something interesting and fun the students really love it as well. So, when I told them about written conversations I talked it up so much, how excited I was to have them use it while working and how they would talk to each other silently while reading. They became excited about it! Before students could actually begin the activity, I had to model how they were to work. So make sure you model the activity and stress that this a period where students are not conversing orally but quietly.

Now the objective (as you may have figured out) is to have students constantly discussing the text with each other. They are only allowed to work in partners and for 2-3 minutes write their thoughts, questions and connections to the text. After that time, they switch notes and comment back to their partners for another 2-3 minutes. You will dictate how long this process will take place. Below you can find some of my students conversations with each other. Being that these are notes between students, grammar and spelling errors are perfectly fine (it at least allows you to see what other areas your students may need assistance).

If you want to learn more about written conversations and the protocols, check out this website which features the technique from Subjects Matter: Every Teacher's Guide to Content- Area Reading by Harvey Daniels and Steven Zemelman.

(Don't mind the fact that my student wrote 'Why aren't wolves the people they think they are?- I knew what she meant.)

FYI- I don't know why the fonts of this post is out of whack, but as long as you understand the content (that's all that matters).