Transcript

Welcome to BLaST the Airwaves with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17. Here at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, we strive to transform lives and communities through educational services. On this podcast, we will provide you with educational solutions for all, no matter the learning environment. So teachers, administrators, caregivers, what are you waiting for?

What would happen if we started questioning, what if? What if we had a positive perspective on education? What if we flip the switch on education? What if we were the solution?

Hello listeners. Welcome back to season two of BLaST the Airwaves! We are excited to connect with you and provide educational solutions for all. Specifically this season, we will focus on support for our caregivers. My name is Rebecca Gibboney and I am the Coordinator of Professional Learning here at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17. Today, we talk about the importance of writing. How many times a day do you take advantage of the opportunity to write? No, not essays or research papers; but, writing as simple as a list. Think about it. Do you allow the same opportunities for your child?

“Humans are the only species that can store information outside of their bodies.”

Pause. Let me repeat that.

“Humans are the only species that can store information outside of their bodies.”

Fascinating. Now, the million-dollar question…how? If you get this right, I owe you a steak dinner.

Did you say writing? There’s no way! But, yes. Writing is what makes this possible.

Think about how many times a day you write, outside the workday. For me, as I sit here and think about it, I’m actually physically writing this list down. So, this list is evidence! But, I also text, write out practice plans for basketball, make a grocery list. I have my “do not forget list” on post-it piles on my desk. Oh yes, and I have my “appreciation” list for my husband (and myself) on the counter when I leave for work. Yes, you heard me. Appreciation list…not a chore list. I find it’s much more enjoyable for us when it says appreciation. Thank you Gretchen Rubin in the book The Happiness Project. There are so many more ways that we write throughout the days that we do not even notice. Think about it. We aren’t writing an essay or a research paper, but we are writing because it’s functional and efficient.

The importance of writing for functionality and efficiency is just as important for our children. You see, people write for three main reasons: to convey real or imagined experiences, to provide information, and to share opinions and arguments about an issue (p. 40). Again, this does not change for children!

So, our children need to practice. Have pencils and crayons lying around for children to access. Again, they aren’t writing essays or research so do not worry. Just have them write, just like we encourage you to have them read. You do not need to fix everything, spelling mistakes, word choice, and so on. Just have them write. Write their ideas. Write their opinions. Write their imagination on the page. And if they can’t write, they can still draw. It still taps into those fine motor skills. If you feel the urge to correct it, have them somehow find the error themselves. Hint: this often happens when they read the sentence aloud.

So, take a second right now, and think about all the fun you could have with your child writing at home. Then, press play.

If you couldn’t think of anything, Fisher, Frey and Hattie offer some suggestions:
Set up a post office for your young children at home – How fun!
Create lists – there are plenty of them! Grocery lists, errands, to-do lists. You name it, there can be a list. The best one…create a list of gratitude and appreciation!
Give your child a journal
Bring back the thank-you notes.

I will reiterate it once again, just providing the experiences and modeling for your child is what is needed. The more you can provide writing that is fueled by authentic purposes and a clear intended audience, the better. So when you see a moment, even five minutes, of a moment to grab a pencil and write. Pause and allow your child the opportunity.

Give them time to express themselves.
Their opinions.
Their ideas.
Their imagination.

Give them time to find their voice through writing.

We would like to thank you for blasting the airwaves with us today. If you like the show, please subscribe or leave a review. If you want to know more, check out www.iu17.org for further resources and show notes. As always, we want to thank you for what you do every single day. Remember, keep shining. We’ll be back next episode to provide you another educational solution for all, as we continue to transform lives and communities through educational services.

Additional/Suggested resources mentioned in the episode:

The Distance Learning Playbook by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie

BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 – www.iu17.org 

Professional Learning Opportunities at BLaST IU 17 – https://www.iu17.org/professional-learning/ 

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