Atwell - Chapter 1

Before I began Nancie Atwell's In the Middle, I prepared myself to get through a long and (dare I say it) boring textbook read. Not even a page into the text, I found myself fascinated and enthralled by Atwell and her 'stories.' Atwell is not only an excellet writer, but I liked how she shows readers the evolution of her theory of teaching writing. She showed her beginnings of when she just had writing exercises to her actual writing workshop.

I can definetly see myself adapting Atwell's writing workshop theory into my future classroom. (I might be able to test it out during student teaching, who knows.) I think Atwell said it best "My goal in writing workshop is to act as a good parent, with all the complexities that role entails. I want to be a grown-up writer who listens to kids and shows kids how it's done, gives sound advice, and convinces them she knows what she's talking about" (Atwell 21). I like that she allows her students freedom with writing, but she is also serves as a mentor to her students. At times, she does have to assign required writings, but she explains to her students the purpose of the writings and how it will benefit them.