Greater Washington Reading Council Fall Conference
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Featured Speaker: Katie Wood Ray
Helping Our Students and Ourselves Learn to Read Like Writers
On November 6, 2008, teachers from around the region gathered at The Waterford at Fair Oaks for the Greater Washington Reading Council’s Annual Fall Conference. Featured guest speaker, Katie Wood Ray, shared her insights and wisdoms of the writing craft. Through her research and classroom experiences, Katie Wood Ray has clearly identified a valuable link between reading and writing.
Katie began the day with a read aloud of Cynthia Rylant’s latest book, Snow. As she read the story aloud, she explained the importance of reading aloud to students and in doing so; the authors became co-teachers of writing. There are two kinds of readings that writers need according to Katie. First, she stressed the importance of reading immersion in order for the students to get a sense of the genre. It is critical for the students to be immersed in reading the type of writing you want them to create. Katie suggested reading a lot of one author or tracing a life columnist over time. Then the students will begin to craft like that author. Katie said “reading helps you figure out what you are going to do as a writer.” It is equally important to look closely at the texts with the students and through explicit conversations; the students will begin to and think about the writing sample.
“People write about the things they are in love with,” said Katie. This is true for both well-known authors and students authors. According to Katie, before there can be revision, there needs to be vision. We, as teachers, tend to focus on the writing process and not the vision. Crafted writing is the result of vision and the students need to know what they are making. Katie said, very early on, you can get students to craft a story. She shared many amazing examples of student writing crafted like the readings to which they had been exposed. “Kids can and should be reading during writing workshop. You don’t learn to write unless you are doing the reading behind it.” (Katie Wood Ray, November 6, 2008, GWRC Annual Conference).
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed stories and video clips from classrooms in which Katie has worked. The day was filled with conversation, as the teachers were able to “turn and talk” to their neighbors about the information Katie presented. Katie was a gracious presenter, as she answered teachers’ questions, signed books, and posed for pictures during the breaks.
Other highlights of the day included updates on after-school specials and the presentation of the Administrator of the Year award to Dr. Dianne Kinkead of Loudoun County Public Schools.
Kudos to Kate McLaughlin for planning and organizing such a wonderful day!
--Submitted by Beth Cipriano