Response to Murray chapters 5 and 9

Based on the two chapters I read over the weekend, I really liked the idea of making a text public and the idea of a publication workshop. It got me thinking if that's what our class publications will be like because it would be interesting to perform one in class. When I am writing a paper, I am really bad about editing my own drafts, but I love the criticism of my peers because they are looking at my paper with fresh eyes, whereas my eyes are biased to what I am trying to say. I agree with Murray that the teacher should make their writing public first so that the students will understand how to go about the process of public editing before they display their writing for their peers. I am definitely a student who feels self-conscious about their writing because even though I know the details about my topic, I feel that I can not express myself and my ideas to the extent that I would like, which is why I like my peers to tell me what they think about my writing. Therefore, it can be a confidence boost for the students if they see their peers giving suggestions to the teacher. It's almost like the students are getting the chance to teach the teacher. How often do students get an opportunity like that? Also, it allows the teacher to model how to handle criticism from peers because it can be difficult not to take comments personally. Thus, the teacher should make it known to the students that criticism is constructive and by making a piece of writing public, the writer is allowing themselves to grow. A student can grow as a writer if they are open to suggestions and can understand that their peers comments are not meant to be mean, but helpful.

Moving onto the publication workshop. One thing that really resonated with me was when Murray said the first question he asks his students in the publication workshop is "how can I help you?" It can be easy to forget when we are editing, that the student has the knowledge and voice about the topic better than the reader does. Which is why asking the writer what they think they need help on can help navigate where the reader's attention and comments should go. Instead of ripping apart a writer's work, ask them how they feel about their piece and what they think the strong and weak points are, so that the reader is not editing the paper to his/her writing style. I think that not editing someones paper to the reader's writing style is a hard battle to fight because we can all be biased of ourselves and think that it would sound better in a similar style to their own, but then we would lose the creativity and voice of the original writer, and that's not what writing is about.

Overall, I think that teaching students constructive criticism and being aware of how they think their paper is, will allow students to grow and expand into wonderful writers and readers.

Harry Potter

Since I started the Harry Potter class, I have never read the books 1-7 in order. I just finished the 2nd one four minutes ago and I have not read it since I was in the fifth grade. Talk about reading a totally different book! I am seeing so many foreshadows that hint to the other books, but it is so hard not to give away spoilers in the class! Two girls in the class have never read the books before and I find it difficult not to give away spoilers, as was the teachers request. I love knowing that I am getting college credits for my favorite book series of all time! People who think Twilight is the greatest series do not know what they are talking about. Those books have no depth to them. Harry Potter though has tons of British history and customs, and other references to mystical characters in history. I feel such a connection and passion for Harry Potter because the books were the first ones that made me truly enjoy reading. I go into my own world every time I read them and before I know it, I've read the second book in three days! 

Moving on from Harry Potter, I am getting bored! I work five days a week, but with my roommate working back home for the summer, aka my boyfriend Kris, I am lonely! Sure I have my wonderful dachshund Pricilla to keep me company, but she sleeps a lot. I try to take her outside and play with her as much as possible, but there's only so much time I can dedicate to playing dog. Also, Kris gets to have a good ass time at the Gorge this weekend for a two day music festival that I was not able to go to this year. We both went last year, but this year I couldn't afford it because I just went and paid for summer tuition by myself. I have been saving for the last nine months to pay for school and that meant that I wouldn't be able to afford the concert :( I know how much fun it was the first year I went and it sucks knowing how much fun he is having this year. At least he's told me it's not as much fun without me there, but he's still have a hella good time. I keep telling myself that on the fourth of July, I get to go home and see him, but then it will have been two weeks since we've seen each other. Talk about along two weeks!! It's hard being away from my best friend for so long, but I guess it's good to miss each other.

Starting my first blog!

This will be my first blog. In fact, I haven't kept a journal or diary since I was 11 I think. My first diary was bought at my elementary school book fair. It had kittens all over it and a lock so that I could keep it private. I remember loving it, but never using it daily like a diary is usually used. I think this is because I have a hard time thinking of ideas to freely write about. To this day, I still feel that my mind is not creative enough to think of stories to write. I know that a journal is meant for personal use and I can write in it however I please, but I still feel hesitation. Without even realizing it, I judge what I have to say with what someone else has to say and I put myself down by saying my writing is not as good as my peers. I worry my ideas are not as creative or original enough. This is a personal battle I have within myself because I love writing and expressing myself, but I need to learn to be comfortable and confident in my ideas. I know that what I have to say is of value, I just need to learn to be comfortable with myself! Through my blog, I plan on using it as an opportunity to expand my creative mind and get comfortable with my ideas, so that I can bring this confidence to the classroom and to my future students. I will learn to not be intimidated by myself or others!