Chapter 10 Reflection on Troubleshooting

Chapter 10 Reflections

      This chapter is devoted as its name implies to Troubleshooting problems in writing workshops.  The authors first acknowledge that everyone will run into problems at some point, and that there are in fact some fairly predictable problems that are quite widespread.  Their reiterated advice is to always first look below the surface at what might be the source of the problem(s).  They further state that using the problem(s) as mini-lessons are usually the best way to handle and/or teach its solutions.  I found it refreshing that they openly acknowledged that it is not always necessary or productive to always have a mini lesson as a workshop opening but that sometimes doing the mini-lesson as part of the workshop closing can be more worthwhile.  I have always thought that there should be more leeway given with this and will now continue to do this as I see fit, but when I do it now I will do it without so much guilt. 

       An interesting point the authors make is that “writers grow by experimenting, pushing themselves, taking risks and trying something new” and while we may not always approve of our student’s  writing material we need to remember that there is a “built-in culture clash” with writing workshop for adults and children.  We need instead, to make sure we set up clear boundaries about language that may be used in workshop, differentiating what they may use at home or on the street. “Consider your audience” is the term I used with my own children as they went through their challenging years. 

Also emphasized is the critical importance of thoroughly teaching and reteaching workshop procedures including your expectations as to what it should look and sound like, and exactly what writing expectations are and how many finished pieces we expect.  This will after all help them work more towards quality rather than quantity.   We need to always bear in mind that “our kids live in a fast-paced, hurry-up and-move to the next thing world” which is the opposite of what our writing workshop emphasizes-- taking time and care with the craft of writing so we need to retrain them in this area. 

     Another idea mentioned is that we need to give our students plenty of opportunity to share their work as this is what satisfies their writers need to share. Their suggestion to include more small group sharing which also makes it easier on students who are uncomfortable sharing in large groups is one that is easy to forget but  it really does help solve the problems of too many or too few wanting to share. 

    Other problems discussed with possible solutions include the following:

·  When students are too noisy

·    When you’re not happy with what kids are writing or it’s dull and flat

·  When kids use inappropriate language

·  When kids finish too quickly or don’t finish what they start

·  When student editing is haphazard, or kids don’t want to revise

·   When workshop energy runs low or you’re unsure what to teach in a 

mini-lesson.