Does This Count as a Celebration? Yes!

A few weeks ago, just before Thanksgiving vacation, I finished a coaching cycle in a third grade classroom. Together, the classroom teacher and I worked to help the students increase their stamina and see themselves as writers. One reluctant writer, Brendan, went from putting little on the page to discussing with me that he wanted to become a professional writer. Chris, a struggling writer, started out avoiding writing and ended the trimester taking his books with him on the playground to work on them during recess. Another student, Calla, a self-professed writing hater, ended up creating lengthy stories with characters suffering the trials and tribulations of third grade friendships. A day before the end of the trimester, their teacher read aloud a letter I had written to the class. I wasn’t present for the reading or discussion but the teacher said the children were very thoughtful about who they were becoming as writers.
I’ve decided that the letter and the reflective discussion that followed counted as a very simple writing celebration. It wasn't a celebration of writing but rather a celebration of writers. I didn’t really think about it as a writing celebration at all until I read Ruth’s post about celebrations and the transcript of her interview with Choice Literacy.
On my last day in the class, at the end of writing workshop, the kids were on their way out the door for lunch recess when Logan approached me and said, “I was thinking 'bout writing and I think we are all like airplanes going down the runway cuz we are just takin' off!”
Did you ever notice how brilliant third graders are?

16 comments:

  1. Wow, Diana, you must be so proud of what you did with these students! I love your letter to them, a fitting ending and it was writing, too! And I love that ending. To speak in metaphor already is quite amazing! Merriest of Christmases to you!

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  2. Love this! I would love to try and get more classes writing where I am!

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  3. You never know, do you, just how much you effect kids. What a great way to celebrate. I'm going to have to include more of that in my classes next semester

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  4. I love Logan's statement at the end. I think I will use it with my second graders. Thank you Logan!

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  5. Oh, the things you can think! What a celebration! Congratulations on changing lives.

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  6. I meant the "thinks you can think"...

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  7. First, I love your letter. It was so heartfelt. I'm sure they understand how much you truly care about them as writers and as people. Second, Logan's statement is the best. What a great analogy!

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  8. Very cool Diana. I'm glad you were inspired to think about celebrations and recognize that this, indeed, is a very powerful celebration. Thanks for sharing. :)
    Ruth

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  9. What a wonderful way to celebrate! Logan has hit the nail on the head! You have touched these kids and changed their writing life. Have a wonderful holiday!

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  10. I love the airplane analogy. What a perceptive little guy! What a motivating slice.

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  11. What a powerful letter! Those students are so lucky to have you to inspire and encourage them! The airplane simile is sooo cute -- I'm sure these "planes" will travel far with you to help them!

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  12. I am amazed that Logan not only thought in metaphor, but was able to tie that back to the idea of writing. He knows that thinking in metaphors is a tool that writers use. Your work is powerful.

    I like this little seed of writing celebrations that you are nurturing!

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  13. Third graders are geniuses. You are all going down the runway together! I worded with Ruth and she encouraged me to celebrate with my classes and it only took one time to have me hooked. I never thought 7th graders would behave quietly in our quiet celebration, but they did because they were writers wanting peers to read and comment on their writings!! The food afterwards didn't hurt either! Her book will be fabulous. Celebrate, and dance to the music!!!

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  14. Your post continues the celebration. We celebrate what you have done for the children as a coach.

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  15. Logan's analogy is a great statement to hear at your celebration. It will be a great one to begin with too - as you gather once again "at the airport!"

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