I spent the fall of 2011 in the committed relationship of 'blogging'. It was a unique experience, and while few needed to notice, I was energized in my writings. It required a weekly discipline, reflecting on weekly assigned readings and tech lab discussions. Being a committed educator (and learner) in the 21st century, this was THE 'new' technology to embrace, communicating thoughts and actions in a means which demonstrated skill sets for today's social media.
No sooner had I become acclimated to this regimentation than I am introduced to the concept of 'the writer's notebook'. This concept requires daily contemplation about one's life; not in the style of a diary, rather a personal reflection for any number of topics. The intent is to continually write....a flow of ongoing thoughts without stopping....to never let your mind pause to lose where its place is....to feel the undercurrent of the moment....pulling words from the deepest part of the soul and not to break the ongoing current that transposes the imagination as when we were back in grade school sitting in front of the teacher, listening to her ramblings about good penmanship....and knowing mine was not at the top of her list..... (get my gist here?)
The writer's notebook has a valuable stake in classroom education as it provides insight on WHAT my students are thinking about. One recent reading compared it to opening all the doors and windows of a house so the winds could pass through and all obstacles would be transparent. It generates creativity on the part of my students, and sheds new light on mindful ponderings of young people. Having personally put this practice to use over the first two weeks of class, I am amazed at what avenues my mind wrestles with. Yes, I can see benefit in this concept....but I still like my blog for what it is. Therefore, I see great value in doing both!
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