Atwell Chapter 1

I really liked the statement on page 4 when Atwell said, "I paved the way...through uncovering and questioning by assumptions, through observing my kids and myself in action and trying to make sense of my observations, through dumb mistakes, uncertain experiments, and, underneath it all, a desire to my best by students and a willingness to acknowledge that my definition of best will be -should be -ever changing." Starting the chapter by saying this made me feel like no matter how long I work as a teacher, or how many times I try to perfect my craft at teaching students how to write, I should always be making changes and learning from each and every experience.

Atwell talks a lot about opening up the options for students in order to give them a variety of choices as writers. I agree with doing this. I feel if they are writing about a topic they themselves choose, the words will have more meaning, and they will be part of who the person is. When we assign topics to writers, and they have no interest in the topic, we stifle their creativity and their willingness to put forth the most effort.

I really liked how Atwell displayed her rules as she changed her orthodoxies throughout the chapter. On page 17 she gives rules which were tweeked from the rules she previously used. Then again on page 18, she reconstructs these rules, and bases them off of the question, "Am I doing it right?" This is a question I feel I will have as a student teacher especially, but also throughout my career!! I also love the questions she puts on page 22. It is helpful to read what other experienced teachers are thinking when he/she begins the school year.