A Tribute to the Little Chute 4th Grade Elementary Class

My final blog for 2015 is a tribute to the teachers, Mrs. Smith and Miss Rabbas, and the 4th Grade Class of Little Chute Elementary School.  During November and December I helped teach the kids how to write fiction narrative via Skype classes.  Every session the class was enthusiastic and demonstrated eagerness to learn the skills of writing fiction narrative.  Writing includes both description and narrative and the class’s task was to master narrative through plot and scenes.  This is the 4th grade remember.  I certainly don’t remember learning writing in the 4th grade; if I had I’m sure I would remember the experience.

I met Amanda Smith, the senior classroom teacher, at the Oshkosh Irish Fest this year.  She ordered both of my books and when I mailed them to her I included a personal note to encourage her writing and offered my help.  The “help” she asked for was to help teach fiction narrative to her 4th grade class.  I couldn’t refuse. 

The teachers included me in their classroom lesson planning.  Several times we skyped our planning sessions at 7:30 am before their teaching day started.  Teachers are a dedicated, hard working lot.  We also exchanged numerous e-mails.  They were always willing to listen to my ideas and incorporate my suggestions into the daily 40 minute lessons.

I learned at least as much as the kids did from this experience.  First, I learned that you can teach writing skills and craft at a young age.  The 4th graders learned about character, showing vs. telling, strong verbs, plot and editing.  Once a 4th grader works hard for several weeks to write their story everyone knows it’s perfect.  Editing was tough for them to swallow.  Rather than attempting any major story overhaul the teachers suggested we concentrate on one thing – using strong words.  Their insight was instrumental in allowing the 4th graders to accept that their writing could be improved.

I also learned how much research was needed to prepare to teach a specific writing craft or skill.  I often researched one topic, like plot, for two hours to prepare for a 40 minute class.  I learned that the kids were eager to learn and tackled difficult problems like how to write a gripping introduction and slide down into a conclusion after the climax.  The teachers broke plot down into individual pages and that innovative technique transformed plot into small, manageable pieces.  It was a miracle!  Many of the students were able to create complex plots in just a few pages.

I learned that 4th graders are comfortable with technology.  Skype was not a problem. The kids were not shy about coming to the front of the room, grabbing the microphone and talking with me.  I was able to see the whole class.  I don’t know what they saw.  I fear I might have been a talking head.  If I was, it didn’t bother the kids.

You would think working on narrative for seven weeks would be enough.  Mrs. Smith and Miss Rabbas saw another learning opportunity – to teach keyboard skills.  Sometimes, I think teachers are gluttons for punishment or at least they’re not afraid to climb Mt. Rainier.     Before Christmas recess the students invaded the computer lab to transform their handwritten pages into a word document.

 The most significant lesson for me was that you can’t teach imagination or creativity.  Some of the kid’s stories were very complex with an introduction that grabbed your attention and a conclusion that ended with a question for the reader; sophisticated stuff.  Their imagination and creativity were inspiring.

It’s a little scary to be described as an “expert”.  I don’t consider myself an expert.  I’m still learning the craft of writing and feel I can always improve.  What I have picked up along the way I enjoyed sharing with the 4th Grade Little Chute Elementary class.  Working with both the teachers and students instills hope.  I’m looking forward to receiving copies of their stories early next year. I will miss both the 4th graders and the teachers.  Maybe I’ll be asked to help again next year – I hope so.