In this month's Hinesburg Record is a wonderful story by several kids at the Hinesburg Community School about their experience with the online writing classroom we built for them. We have one team and about 55 kids testing it out and plan to expand it to much of the school next year.
The article was written by Autumn Eastman and Mackenzie Tobrocke -- two seventh graders. Let me unashamedly quote some of their writing:
"The opportunity which the Young Writers Project has provided to HCS students has changed the way we use our writing skills and abilities. ... The website allows students and teachers to free write and express their opinions. ... Students on the Infinity Team are also allowed to comment and give each other what's called "1+1" comments -- you give the author one piece of postiive feedback and then give them one thing they could improve on."
"'The fact that we get to comment and assist other students on writing is the highlight for me,' said Tanika Gabaree, one of the students.
"Another student, Haylee Gillette ... said that one of the best parts about the website .... is the freedom to write whatever you want to write and not be judged critically or harshly.
"...students seem to like the most is being able to keep in contact with other students ...
"both Young Writers Project websites (youngwritersproject.org and the HCS site) are designed to bring out the creativity in students..."
The article suggests that we could improve the site by making it easier for them to find an individual's complete work. (Noted.) Also, the paper published three of the students' pieces.
What I love most about this is that I didn't know they were writing it and they chose three pieces on their own for publication in the local newspaper. How cool.
Posted in
Submitted by ggevalt on Tue, 03/10/2009 - 20:58
Post new comment