"Mrs. Gillmore, why haven't we been taught to write like this before now?" asks a tenth grade male student, as we view teacher-modeled paragraphs and review this same format again.
"Maybe your teachers were not taught writing format this way?" I reply.
I was not, or I forgot. What?!
This Gillmore-Style Writing Format came from two "programs" and personal epiphanies over my years of teaching many hundreds...several thousands...of students how to write paragraphs of any depth or breadth, from visuals and the use of colors and jargon that will remain consistent throughout this entire academic year.
I attribute Step up to Writing and the works of Jane Schaffer...and my merging their jargon with mine. The result is just a method that clicks with students. HINT...see first question above.
Also, I am continually evolving. Last year, I taught and taught and taught...and failed to slow down and assess their knowledge of this writing jargon. This year, this is a must, this slowing down, this mastering of the terminology within the first couple weeks of school, from which I am already witnessing results. HINT...see first question above.
That tenth grade student validated, patted me on my professional back, when he asked me that question.
Today was a good day.
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