Tuesday is the day to share a “Slice of Life” with Two Writing Teachers. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.
What do we write?
This graphic lists many ideas. What would you add?
Why do we write?
How important is writing? For some, writing is a chore. For others, writing is as necessary as breathing. Do you fall somewhere in between?
Some authors believe that writing is the primary basis upon which one’s work, learning, and intellect will be judged—in college, in the work place and in the community. Should all that weight rest on one’s writing? Should writing be an evaluative tool?
What about writing in school? (Real writing – not filling in blanks) What if writing is critical in order to become a good reader? Does that mean that writing deserves equal time in classrooms? Does that happen?
Why do I write? Sometimes to preserve my ideas and memories. Sometimes to make my thinking and learning visible and permanent. But sometimes I write because I feel compelled to explain my ideas to others as well as myself. Writing also helps me understand my life.
Ali Hale has a wonderful post about why your writing matters that you can read here with specifics for these five points:
#1: It’s Not Just a Hobby
#2: Your Writing Can Outlive You
#3: You Can Change Lives
#4: Self-Expression is Important
#5: You’re Improving with Every Word You Write
Writing was important in one-room schoolhouses. Check out the writing on the walls in the picture below. But also note the speakers and listeners in the room as well. No one medium of communication is “the only one” as the connections between reading, writing, speaking and listening must all be nurtured. What does this picture say to you?
Why do you write?
What will you do, this week, to make your writing a more important part of your life?
Resource - Full 
I’d add blog posts to the WHAT I WRITE poster. Why do I write? I write to figure out my life. I write to think. I write to remember and celebrate. I write to learn. Thanks for the opportunity to answer this question. 🙂
Thanks for answering, Michelle!
Blog posts and “slices” definitely belong on the list! And I love that you write to “celebrate.”
Blogging has actually lead me to write more. I’m finding more binders and notebooks around the house. And they are mine! I write primarily to reflect and celebrate. And to clear the “Teacher Traffic Jam” in my head. Thanks for the time to reflect on this!
Oh, Kendra, I love the “Teacher Traffic Jam” vision. Many days it seems like a continual “blinking yellow” – Caution!!!
Thanks for commenting!
I love your questions Fran and the responses: Kendra’ s”teacher jam” and Michelle’s addition to the list. I ‘m thinking YES! YES!
Lots to consider on a personal and professional level. This one hit me: “That if writing is critical in order to become a good reader? Does that mean that writing deserves equal time in classrooms? Does that happen?” I know in our schools writing has taken a backseat to reading, thinking that reading comes first when it fact it’s really is a necessary part of reading. It’s a big shift that the Common Core (for better or for worse) has focused administrators on.
Julieanne,
Your enthusiasm and passion for learning always shines through your responses.
It’s scary that we have many students who have not spent a great deal of time writing and other students cannot hardly live without writing. Balance is always good! There is always more to consider from both a personal and a professional stance!
Can’t wait to see you this summer!
What do I write? Blog posts, cards to friends, comments on Facebook, Tweets, Gratitude Journal entries, emails, lists, Notebook scribblings, ideas and sketches.
Why do I write? To think, to reflect, to get it out, to communicate, to connect.
Thanks, Lisa, for commenting. You have listed many types of writing and many reasons! Communicating and sharing is so fun!
I write because I teach…through writing I discover the ideas and questions I want to explore. I couldn’t imagine teaching kids to read, write, and think without finding ways to practice these myself!
Tara,
You said it so well. It’s hard to promote growth for students in reading, writing and thinking without working on my own growth!
Thanks for replying!
Using a primary source to influence writing, awesome!
Thanks for your comment! I try to find an external source for everything I write in order to practice those same skills that are asked of our students and teachers! ❤
Loved your questions: each deserves more than a quick answer.
Here’s a confession: I blog because I am addicted to it. 😉
Writing helps me to sort thoughts. I like playing with words and ideas. I write because I want to learn more about writing and become better at it. Writing helps me to reach out and connect.
Your last question I will take with me to ponder more about.
Thanks, Terje for commenting!
I have to agree that there is something addictive about writing (especially when it turns into conversations! <3)
I love the opportunity to practice and to also learn from others who are so much more skilled at writing as well!
We just had a conversation driving home from a writing awards banquet that being teachers who write makes for much better teachers of writing. When you write, you understand the process, as well as the vulnerability and self-consciousness that can come with it. You also understand what hard, hard work it is to create a piece that incorporates all that you know about good writing. Great post, Fran!
Oh, Melanie, I so agree. I don’t know how you can teach writing if you are not a writer and it really isn’t that hard. Writing needs to be a habit (IMO), that is as necessary as breathing!
Thanks for commenting!
I write tweets and blogs! I love your reflection. Writing is SO important! I continue to come back to the idea that we cannot be teachers of writing (or coaches of teachers of writing) if we do not think of ourselves as writers, if we do not practice the art of writing. Thank YOU for sharing your writing!
Thanks, Amy! Tweets and blogs are so important in our daily lives. As you said, it is so important to practice the art of writing if we are to think of ourselves as writers!
You are welcome! I spent a lot of time convincing myself that I didn’t have anything to write about until I started blogging; however, much of my writing is to consolidate my own thinking!
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