Q&A: What kind of questions can I ask my students in writing conferences? What's a good way to keep track of their answers?
How I teach students about good writing conferences & what I ask them!
A note before we begin: You may remember that over this summer I invited you to submit a question for a free 30-minute coaching call that would then be recorded and shared in this space. That is still my plan. But August & September (including submitting a book, planning and executing a whole-school, all-day summer reading party, and leading two field trips) have kicked my butt.
Today’s question comes from that pile of submissions! My plan is to start scheduling these coaching calls in October! In the meantime, if YOU have a question and would enjoy a free coaching call, please complete this form!
Q: What kind of questions can I ask my students in writing conferences? What's a good way to keep track of their answers? - Sarah K.
A:
I love strategizing about individual conferences because, on one hand, there is nothing that makes a bigger difference in student writing. On the other hand, it’s hard.
Carl Anderson taught us to ask students “How’s it going?” And from this, for Carl, all other writing-centered discussions naturally flowed. What I’ve always loved about this simple question is its invitation into dialogue, into relationship. It says, “I care about you. I care about your process. Not just the product.”
However, when I use it, I often get, “Fine”, “Good”, “Bad”, or “Ugh” in reply. I need something else in my pocket or the conference is over as quickly as it has begun.
Reframing the Purpose of Writing Conferences
Why are we doing this?
Maybe it would help to first think about what writing conferences are not.
Writing conferences are not an editing session.
Writing conferences are not the teacher reading through whole drafts.
Writing conferences are not the teacher giving students every thing they need to do to earn an A.
A conference exists to provide the writer with one next step to take their writing to the next level.
Because the teacher is offering one suggestion or one teaching point, the conferences are relatively short. (Also: student writers can really only process one thing at a time. If you give them five things they need to improve, they will forget / ignore / become overwhelmed by four of them.)
Understanding the micro-scope of a great conference — and sharing this with students — help everyone!