I spoke to Charlie’s class fourth grade class last week about writing authentically:
Using the power of the written word to affect change in your life and the lives of others. Moving writing beyond its academic purposes and into the real world.
This can come in many, many forms.
In my classroom, for example, requests are submitted in writing, and my students know that well written notes and emails are far more likely to receive an affirmative response than those dashed off without thought or care.
My students are currently designing and writing picture books. When finished, I’m going to teach them how to write to literary agents in an attempt to get their books published.
My students routinely write emails, letters, and cards to teachers and staff in the school. They make requests of the principal. Thank custodians for cleaning the classroom. Request menu changes from the cafeteria.
Just yesterday, I found a student writing a “get well soon” card to a math teacher who is having surgery.
I host writing contests in my classroom constantly, offering classroom currency, certificates of achievement, and other perks and privileges to the winners. Winners’ names are also added to plaques in my classroom that stretch back nearly two decades. It’s not uncommon for a student to want their name to appear on the plaques more often than their older sibling, and they often work like hell to make it happen.
Students also host writing contests in my classroom, determining their own topics, judges, due dates, and prizes.
In the past, students have written letters ailing relatives, politicians, and celebrities. I’ve taught them to write to restaurants when the service is poor or food is disappointing.
A couple of years ago, Chili’s sent one of my students $100 in gift cards to make up for the disappointing meal.
That was a joyous day in my classroom indeed.
Authenticity in writing – offering students a meaningful purpose for writing – is critical to helping them become highly effective, lifelong writers. When students see writing only as a means of responding to questions, completing assigned essays, and earning grades, writing is viewed as onerous, academic, and unnecessary. As a result, they don’t write. They abandon the craft as quickly as possible and lose all joy in placing words on the page.
We must find one million reasons for students to write in authentic, meaningful ways. Then we must find one million more.
When talking to Charlie’s class and asking about who they might write to and why, a new reason for writing arose that I have never heard of before:
Writing to deceased loved ones.
More than one of Charlie’s classmates proposed writing to grandparents and other relatives who they barely knew before passing away. In the words of one child, “I can’t talk to my granddad, but maybe if I write to him, he will hear me.”
I was astounded by the beauty and simplicity of this idea.
More than one student also proposed writing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people, offering their love and support.
Being my son, Charlie proposed writing to the Russians, telling them to get the hell out of Ukraine and go back where they belong.
The kids were filled with ideas and excitement.
Two days later, I found a handful of notes in my mailbox, written by Charlie and other members of his class, thanking me for visiting.
I’ve already written back.
A day later, Charlie emailed this to me from his classroom:
Дорогая, Россия.
Большая часть мира знает о том, что вы делаете с Украиной. Большинство других частей мира хотят, чтобы вы остановились. И я тоже. Если вы продолжите это делать, вы можете вызвать Третью мировую войну. Ни один человек в мире этого не хочет. Если это произойдет, может случиться много плохого. Так вы бы вырезать его? Ни одна из этих вещей, которые могут произойти, не является хорошей. Мол, если случится мировая война, она может уничтожить вашу страну! Это не будет хорошо. Так что ПОЖАЛУЙСТА, ОСТАНОВИТЕСЬ!!! То, что ты делаешь, нехорошо! Могут случиться плохие вещи. Надеюсь, ты послушаешь. До свидания.
От, Чарльз члены
He apparently knows how to use Google Translate. It reads:
Dear Russia.
Most of the world knows what you are doing with Ukraine. Most other parts of the world want you to stop. And me too. If you continue to do this, you may cause World War III. Not a single person in the world wants this. If that happens, a lot of bad things can happen. So would you cut it? None of the things that can happen are good. Like, if a world war happens, it could destroy your country! It won’t be good. So PLEASE STOP! What you are doing is not good! Bad things can happen. The Ukraine people deserve to be free. I hope you listen. Goodbye.
From,
Charles Wallace Dicks
We’re sending the note to the Russian delegation at the United Nations in New York. I don’t expect a response, but then again, I didn’t expect Chili’s to send my student $100 in gift cards, so who knows?
Even if they don’t respond, Charlie has transferred thought and feeling to the page, and that physical page will now land in the hands of another human being.
That is how you create an enthusiastic, highly effective, lifelong writer.
It’s not hard.
