blog 7: formulaic writing

I am a little confused about where to start; I know exactly what I want to write about for the later part of the assignment, but not so much for the CCCSS. When I browsed over the CCCSS, all I saw was what to teach in a classroom, and sometimes the structures behind it. But I saw nothing creative within. I guess that is what is being asked, how a teacher would make it imaginative and creative. First off, I really agree with what Mrs. Maier did in her classroom; she created an environment that made reading and writing seem like it is the greatest thing in the world. I want my classroom to be just like hers and I think all classrooms should do the same. I don’t see why not all children don’t already love reading and writing! It is essential and such a beautiful thing life when a child gets the spark from reading and/or writing.

Wiley is warning us about not being able to stray away from the formula and being able to write freely. He states “Formulaic writing of the kind Schaffer advocates forces premature closure on complicated interpretive issues and stifles ongoing exploration. In attempting to take the mystery away from writing and make it more accessible, the formulaic approach winds up hindering students from exploring their ideas, reactions, and interpretations-the rich chaotic mess from which true insight and thoughtfulness can emerge” (64). I do not know if I agree with this because I was able to break away from the formulaic writing, but maybe I am an odd student. However, I could see how children would have a hard time with this; many students do not know how to do something that has not been taught to them.

            When it comes to Wiley, I can completely relate to his article because I was taught the Jane Schaffer method when I was in high school and we used it throughout my AP English classes. This article did give me a better understanding about myself because I realized I was able to transition into non formulaic writing easier than most students and that I had a really good teacher. I like writing the Schaffer way because I the system, I like having a strict way of writing. I understand that it is not ideal for all essays but it is a good place to start.