(Before posting, I asked my young friend if I could share his letter if I blanked out his name and the name of his teacher. He agreed, with the proviso that I checked with his mum first - which I did and have received her permission!)
Last week, one of my students sent me a letter. I was told later that his motivation to write to me (and the finished article) came entirely from himself. He wrote to let me know he had been awarded a pen licence by his class teacher, and to thank me for helping him with his writing. My 8 year old pupil also expressed his desire to continue improving his handwriting.
Last week, one of my students sent me a letter. I was told later that his motivation to write to me (and the finished article) came entirely from himself. He wrote to let me know he had been awarded a pen licence by his class teacher, and to thank me for helping him with his writing. My 8 year old pupil also expressed his desire to continue improving his handwriting.
I am going to treasure this letter. My efforts to help have not always been welcome. In our earlier lessons together, I met with resistance as feelings of resentment (mostly in reaction to being given extra support against his wishes) bubbled to the surface. Looking back through his file, I found a written conversation we had last March, which offers a reflection of the level of his written work then - as well as his strong points of view!
FAO The Grammar Police - please forgive me for using 'which' instead of 'that' in my opening sentence.
For me, last week’s letter doesn’t just demonstrate overall progress in the standard of this young man’s writing over the past eight months, it also indicates a very encouraging change in his attitude to learning to write. To my mind, the fact that he independently set about writing for a purpose, with an awareness of his audience and editing his work as he went, shows real promise for the future of this young writer.
For me, last week’s letter doesn’t just demonstrate overall progress in the standard of this young man’s writing over the past eight months, it also indicates a very encouraging change in his attitude to learning to write. To my mind, the fact that he independently set about writing for a purpose, with an awareness of his audience and editing his work as he went, shows real promise for the future of this young writer.