From Words Spoken to Words Written

After reading Rief I am wrestling with how to get kids who won't write anything in detail to getting MAP-like information on a piece of paper. I get that some kids really struggle with finding just the right selection in their sea of words. To have to write specifics when they can't see those specifics in words is very hard. I would love to see a scaffolded approach to get those kids who can put answers into auditory words from the spoken word to a written word.

If a kid can talk around an answer, then what can I do to scaffold instruction to get her to get those words on paper? If a child thinks deeply, what other things can I do to help him get those thoughts on paper in an organized fashion? How can I help build the bridge in those kids from the auditory to the written word?

I see kids all the time who can just sit and stare. What an amazing gift to be able to help the David's on p. 129. Any suggestions?

Rief Reflection

"Until we realise that the studen is the best evaluator of his or her own learning, we will never know what our students really know or are able to do." Page 131

Brooke and I have discussed this several times. Especially today! Can our kids really do this? My mind hasn't wrapped around this. I think some of my studnets could handle this, but not all. I admire those who try it in their classrooms! I have some students that are too cocky and would always say they are "perfect".