March 2006
To Whom It May Concern:
I write on behalf of Lynn Bowmaster and her writer’s workshop sessions with my fourth and fifth grade class at the Hilltown Charter School. Lynn worked on a weekly basis with my students for approximately two months, first solely in the classroom and then in collaboration with the school and the Hampshire Care Nursing Home’s “Bridging the Gap” program.
During initial planning meetings at the school, it was clear to me that Lynn was dutifully gathering information to make the program successful. She acknowledged and included many voices, including a parent coordinator, parent liaison, educators, students and nursing home activity director, in her goal setting. Returning to and revising weekly session activities, prompts and goals marked Lynn as a flexible and attentive. In the first week in the classroom, Lynn, with student input, addressed the need for a safe writing environment by creating some guidelines around sharing and responding to writing. These guidelines were returned to as weekly reminders. Students who rarely share their work publicly anxiously awaited their opportunity to read aloud their pieces. I credit Lynn’s forward thinking in providing an appealing, positive environment.
Lynn’s weekly workshop included poetry reading, intriguing writing prompts, journal writing, author share and an audience response period. Lynn modeled listening and response skills by way of her participation and by direct references to student’s writing. My student’s felt honored by her direct feedback and non-critical comments. She valued each child’s writing and modeled feedback by starting statements with, “I liked the way you…” or, “That reminds me of…”.
We took what we had learned with Lynn after that month and utilized it in our work at the nursing home. The weekly activities were familiar since we had practiced a similar format at school. As the teacher, I role played each new prompt with the students prior to our visits with the elders. Lynn and the team were in weekly contact, reassessing and revising our plan to meet the needs of students and their elder buddies.
Our work with the elder’s was challenging and memorable. Students were asked to make connections with the elders around their experiences and values. Physical and mental impairments of some elders required students to ask for information in new ways. Prompts helped to frame the afternoon’s writing and often lead to unexpected conversations, all of which gave a foundation and significance to the intergenerational writing. During the entire process, Lynn was prepared, thoughtful and flexible.
More than once Lynn revisited weekly plans to make adjustments. She was open to student’s ideas and reflected to them the challenge of their work and tremendous efforts. Lynn jump started the creative writing program in my class and provided me with a transferable format.
In closing, I would not hesitate to work with Lynn Bowmaster again. She is an asset to any school/children’s writing program. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (413) 253-0873 home, or (413) 268-3421 school, if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Coco Moran, gr.4/5 teacher
To Whom It May Concern:
I write on behalf of Lynn Bowmaster and her writer’s workshop sessions with my fourth and fifth grade class at the Hilltown Charter School. Lynn worked on a weekly basis with my students for approximately two months, first solely in the classroom and then in collaboration with the school and the Hampshire Care Nursing Home’s “Bridging the Gap” program.
During initial planning meetings at the school, it was clear to me that Lynn was dutifully gathering information to make the program successful. She acknowledged and included many voices, including a parent coordinator, parent liaison, educators, students and nursing home activity director, in her goal setting. Returning to and revising weekly session activities, prompts and goals marked Lynn as a flexible and attentive. In the first week in the classroom, Lynn, with student input, addressed the need for a safe writing environment by creating some guidelines around sharing and responding to writing. These guidelines were returned to as weekly reminders. Students who rarely share their work publicly anxiously awaited their opportunity to read aloud their pieces. I credit Lynn’s forward thinking in providing an appealing, positive environment.
Lynn’s weekly workshop included poetry reading, intriguing writing prompts, journal writing, author share and an audience response period. Lynn modeled listening and response skills by way of her participation and by direct references to student’s writing. My student’s felt honored by her direct feedback and non-critical comments. She valued each child’s writing and modeled feedback by starting statements with, “I liked the way you…” or, “That reminds me of…”.
We took what we had learned with Lynn after that month and utilized it in our work at the nursing home. The weekly activities were familiar since we had practiced a similar format at school. As the teacher, I role played each new prompt with the students prior to our visits with the elders. Lynn and the team were in weekly contact, reassessing and revising our plan to meet the needs of students and their elder buddies.
Our work with the elder’s was challenging and memorable. Students were asked to make connections with the elders around their experiences and values. Physical and mental impairments of some elders required students to ask for information in new ways. Prompts helped to frame the afternoon’s writing and often lead to unexpected conversations, all of which gave a foundation and significance to the intergenerational writing. During the entire process, Lynn was prepared, thoughtful and flexible.
More than once Lynn revisited weekly plans to make adjustments. She was open to student’s ideas and reflected to them the challenge of their work and tremendous efforts. Lynn jump started the creative writing program in my class and provided me with a transferable format.
In closing, I would not hesitate to work with Lynn Bowmaster again. She is an asset to any school/children’s writing program. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (413) 253-0873 home, or (413) 268-3421 school, if I can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Coco Moran, gr.4/5 teacher
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