My Student Ning: an Online Environment to Post Original Writing I encourage fellow teacher leaders to post their original "best practice" resources somewhere on-line for other teachers to discover.
Already a member of my ning? Click here to jump right there!
During the 2009-2010 school year, I added a new publishing tool for my student writers: a ning. I added this tool to increase the authenticity of my writing assignments for my students. When my students publish for a worldwide audience, they take their assignments much more seriously. At the ning, unlike in the pile of papers that sit on my desk, your writing could be picked up and read by anyone at any time.
A NING (short for NetworkING) is an online forum where like-minded people can post things they've written. My classroom ning is specifically for my writers who feel they are ready to be published with their writing tasks, and it is also for class members who want to provide constructive feeback for writers who post here.
To participate at my ning as one of my students, you must first be approved. Follow the directions below to become an approved member. It's fast and easy. I may not get around to approving you for a day or two, so don't sweat it if it's not immediate.
To participate at my ning without being one of my students. After reading the rules of my ning, follow the same directions below but let me know what grade you're in and what sort of things you like to write about. For 2010-2011, I am only approving students of middle-school age this year, and I will remove anyone who doesn't follow my ning's simple rules.
The Rules of my Ning:
This ning is an educational project for myself and my students. Anything posted that I determine to be "uneducational" content will result in a) a parental conference, if you're one of my students; and/or b) permanent suspension from the ning. I show this ning to teachers I work with when I present for university classes; don't embarrass me by posting something you know I won't be happy about.
Students may post any writing they have done for a class assignment or during their writers workshop time. Your published pieces should be as error free as possible.
Students may respond to or critique the writing at the ning provided these responses or comments are thoughtful and attempting to be helpful.
To earn an "Exceeds the standards" mark in my writing enrichment class, you will need to post two final pieces and three responses or comments to other writers.
Clicking here will take you to a screen to become a member of their ning, which houses my ning. I am a member of this ning too, and on the first of every month, they send me a link to a fun writing lesson that we might try out in class in the future. With you as members of this ning too, you can encourage me to try the lessons they send. Where it says, "Grade level taught" on the form, just answer with what grade level you're currently in.
It's important for you to enter a valid e-mail address when you become a member. There is a verification process, where they'll e-mail a link to you that you'll have to click on to finalize your membership. No one can see or use your e-mail address after you become a member.
Step 2: Once you're a member of the NNWP's ning, you'll need to next logon to that site and join the group we've built specifically for my student writers. Clicking here is a direct link to becoming a member of my group, but this link won't work if you haven't completed step #1 yet!
WritingFix is the best website ever. And not just because they have several of my lessons posted! This site covers every writing topic out there!
If you're not a member of the NNWP's Writing Lesson of the Month Ning, change that fact right now! Click here and create a profile to begin receiving the monthly lessons!
The NNWP's Going Deep with 6 Trait Language Guide is a great teaching resource. You can order your own copy by visiting the NNWP's Publications Page.
