WritingFix: Christine Aker-Minetto's On-line Portfolio

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Corbett Harrison's Website

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Holly Young's Website

Learning Is Messy
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Teacher Portfolio: Christy Aker-Minetto
a Northern Nevada teacher shares on-line lessons and ideas

Hello, I’m Christy Aker-Minetto, an elementary teacher from Northern Nevada. I’ve been a Teacher Consultant with the Northern Nevada Writing Project since 2000.

I am a writer, but sometimes I’m not a very good writing teacher. It’s easy for me to sweep writing to the side, since it is an ongoing process. There’s always another day. But I’ve finally realized that I’m sending the wrong message to my students that writing isn’t as important as other subjects. I need to remind myself that there is a reason the NNWP calls free write journal time “Sacred Writing Time.” Writing is sacred, or should be so. Every time we write, no matter what it is, a piece of us, our thoughts and feelings, are left on the page.

As a teacher who has taught almost all grades K-5th, my beliefs on writing are simple. Writing is hard work! At any level – at any age! Below are three of my beliefs about teaching writing to elementary students.

Belief #1: Writing takes time. It takes a lot of thinking and talking and planning before the pencil ever hits the paper. Students need to know that they have the time to think and work things out. Writing on a short deadline (in school) rarely leads to good writing.

Belief #2: Writing takes patience and perseverance. Writing frustrates young students with their lack of skills or how quickly their thoughts come. How many teachers have seen a giant THE END, instead of a satisfying conclusion? We need to remind students it is ok to stop and take a break, think some more, and continue on with the writing.

Belief #3: Good writing has true revision – not just editing. Yes, students need to proofread their writing all the time – but that is not revision. Revision takes a second approach towards the writing – and, once again, that’s work!

Finally, what I like best about writing is that there is always a promise, at the beginning of a piece. I like that optimism that this piece of writing will speak to the audience. Students will surprise you. You see what’s in their heads and in their hearts. Great writing can come from anyone on any given day. The best thing about being a writing teacher is the smile I get when I’m done reading a good piece of writing.

A website Christy recommends:

Scholastic's Teacher Book Wizard

On Christy's Bookshelf...

6 + 1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide

Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction

Three of Christy's Lessons at WritingFix:
Lesson: Beyond the Basic Biography Report Mentor Text: A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden Focus Trait: Idea Development Support Trait: Voice	Lesson: Inventing a New Word Mentor Text: Frindle by Andrew Clements Focus Trait: Conventions Support Trait: Word Choice Christy presented this lesson as part of the the NNWP's Chapter Books as Mentor Texts workshop for teachers.	Lesson: Imaginative Home Movies Mentor Text: The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis Focus Trait: Idea Development Support Trait: Voice Christy presented this lesson as part of the the NNWP's Chapter Books as Mentor Texts workshop for teachers.