writing instruction

As educators we want to inspire students to become invested in their writing and trust themselves to take risks. Students need to be taught how to think in terms of writing and this will allow them to explore what’s beneath the surface.
Spandel, Lee, Andrews, and Dickson all have the similar goals in mind, for students to acquire the skills they need to write creatively and explore various aspects of themselves through their writing. Each author is an advocate for a different method of student involvement in writing and each method has a certain merit to it. They each discuss the importance of motivating students to write and providing them with a comfortable environment to explore their thoughts. Spandel, Lee and Dickson believe that students should write to allow their voices to be heard, not simply because it is a classroom assignment.
Vicki Spandel believes it is essential to explore writing through imagination. Through Mr. Graphite’s class, Spandel was able to recognize that when one is allowed to explore writing on their own they feel free and have the ability to discover a world of possibilities. Restrictive environments are not conducive for exploratory and thought provoking writing. Once one is allowed to think beyond the realm of possibility there is the opportunity for fresh and exciting ideas to surface. It is through this experience that she realizes passionate writing comes from within. Spandel has developed a notion that if students are allowed to chose their own writing topics it permits them to explore their voice and individuality. Through this they will eventually become successful writers. While I don’t completely agree with that (some students struggle with writing even if it about what they know) there was a more controversial matter that arose in her writing, state assessments. State assessments really make my blood boil. I firmly believe that all students learn differently and to grade them based on state standards is perhaps necessary,...