[LIT] hallway first reader conferences

Sun Jan 4 11:37:24 EST 2009

When I read STepen King's book On Writing I discovered his writing  
process ideas and this is one of them.

His wife Tabitha King reads his content set and ready manuscripts and  
he asks her for honest feedback.  Is it working.  Are the characters  
believable?  What would you add or take out and why?  He basically  
wants her to give her opinion on whether it's ready to be released to  
the world.

I just used the phrase first reader now when I ask for feedback on my  
own writing and when I present the writing process to students, it's  
the same deal.

I think between the books I've read by Nancie Atwell, Stephen King,  
Anne Lamott, and a few others on the writing process I just blend that  
early stage of the writing draft process and ask student writers to  
try out those stages.

First readers have given me feedback on dialogue and if it works,  
unclear details, what's unanswered from their perspective.  I take  
what I like and leave the rest and remind student writers to do the  
same.

When sixth graders were writing memoirs around an important place in  
their lives, i asked them to get feedback from first readers on  
whether it was clear why it was such an important place.  Where did I  
show that?  Do you want more info?  Which detail was most interesting? 
least?should I take it out or add more detail?

I have to stay King's book on his writing process has remained my  
favorite.  He's bold with his language and honest to the core and I  
like that.  My students do not have access to his book because the  
language is colorful at time, if you catch my drift.

For me, the best experiences/resources I can share come from my  
reading of books by writers who share their knowledge and experience  
around the writing process for them.  I just have found that building  
all the schema for myself allows me to synthesize and squeek it out  
and to the students in  overheads, writing notebook prompts,  
conference prompts...

Jacquie

On Jan 4, 2009, at 11:15 AM, queenbova at comcast.net wrote:

>
>
> I like this notion, first reader... where can I learn more about it?  
> Thanks Deborah Bova
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jacquie Leighton" <jmleighton at midmaine.com>
> To: "A list for improving literacy with focus on middle grades." <lit at literacyworkshop.org 
> >
> Sent: Saturday, January 3, 2009 5:29:08 PM GMT -05:00 Columbia
> Subject: Re: [LIT] hallway first reader conferences
>
> Hi Tena,
>
>
> Cold enough for ya?
>
> First readers are people we trust to read our writings when we think
> we're ready to submit for teacher edit.  I only edit for conventions.
>
> The writer hooks up with someone who will read their piece and give
> them feedback on how it might be better.  They know from example and
> modeling what a piece of good feedback might be.  I keep the first
> reader focus on content only, not editing.
>
> I still visit (stool and travel)  but when they have a peer who will
> take the time to read their early drafts, it's magical how they lead
> themselves to discussions.  They may not specifically follow a formula
> for feedback but they try and I give them the freedom to let their 10
> tops conversations lead them to where ever.  It's much more
> effective.  I might ask for them to give feedback on meaningful word
> choices, they might touch down on it, but often they have other
> discussions, mostly about similar expereriences.  Good fodder for the
> writing piece.  OFten I'll ask the writer to jot down a reflection on
> how the conference was useful and worth their time.
>
> I don't read every single piece, but I do offer a quick look at
> content if they ask, and I'll offer a glaring revision suggestion.
> Takes a minute or two.
>
> I don't read every single word.  I get the gist of it.
>
> I edit only when they've submitted for teacher edit.  They've placed
> it in the "slot" for teacher edit.  I edit for "obvious
> stuff" (defined by you), spelling, and correct title conventions.  I
> return it to them for their work at final drafting.
>
> Please let me know if I've answered your curiosities about first
> reader.  It's loose, they do it outside the door to the classroom, 10
> minutes tops, and I ask for feedback from the writer who received the
> conference. They love it.  It's a kind of publishing where they're
> presenting their ideas and skills to the "world" and getting immediate
> feedback.
>
> Stay warm and happy new year.
>
> Jacquie
>
>
>
> On Jan 3, 2009, at 3:37 PM, TLP wrote:
>
>> Jacquie wrote:
>> ...She said she missed writing workshop, hallway first reader
>> conferences,
>> choosing her topics and purposes for writing, publishing.
>>
>> So I jumped right on this as I still use the stool and travel
>> method. But I
>> bet this would be less distracting. Can you talk about the "first
>> reader"
>> aspect. Here are some things I still run into.
>> Kids who do not use their personal proofreading checklist
>> Kids who want me to edit their work
>> Kids who want me to read every single word before passing in
>> polished work
>> (which on new tasks I don't mind but again it becomes an editing
>> nightmare!
>> Keep in mind, most are fine but there are always some that need to
>> be more
>> independent. Does "first reader" address this?
>>
>> -- 
>> Tena
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>
>
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