Finding Memorable Moments/ Espinosa and Arnberg Articles
The Espinosa article is very eye opening. I liked the reference to classrooms acquiring the learners instead of the learners acquiring new language. It is a new way and a more accurate may of viewing the writing of ELLs. One thing that stands out to me the most while reading this article is the patience required for the students to develop as writers and come about their memoir at their own pace. I think this is something we should keep in mind for all our writers. We need to imerse, encourage, and then allow them to explore and discuss. Many times we become discouraged when teaching writing, forgetting that writing is a process for everyone. I thought it was beneficial for the students to be able to discuss the events in their own language. I like the term “exploding the moment.” It really illustrates how details are to be added in a story.
Arnberg
In the Arnberg article I liked that the article was written by a classroom teacher that had incorporated memoir into her class. I liked how she added to her study each month and allowed her students to decide what her mini lessons or class discussions would be. I think it is important to mention how she helped the students to come to their own definition of memoir without just telling them what it was. I think this will hold more meaning with the students because they will be able to better incorporate the elements of a memoir. Like the Espinosa article I was reminded that writing development takes time. Arnberg spent the whole year just working with memoir and didn’t even begin writing until December. I think I try to rush writing with my students. I do model and expose them to the writing, but I don’t think I’m giving them time to really soak it in.
