We are writers

It takes practice to become a proficient writer. Of the four modes of language (speaking, listening, reading and writing), writing is the most difficult. And our test scores show it.

According to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, during the 2012-13 school year, only 75.65 percent of the ninth-graders at Wasilla High School were considered to be advanced or proficient writers on the Standards Based Assessment, whereas 24.35 percent of the 308 students were considered to be below of far below proficient on the testing.

Only 69.47 percent of the Wasilla High School students who took the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE) were considered to be proficient. Granted the data includes all 10th graders as well as all 11th and 12th graders who had not previously passed the assessments. This could be one of the reasons why the percentage rates were lower. Students not passing the exam during their sophomore year have at least four additional chances to pass the exam prior to graduation. A student may not pass the exam because he or she needs more time to develop language proficiency, have a learning disability or miss the testing due to vacations or illness.

So we’ve been practicing our writing.

As a result, more students are beginning to see themselves as writers. They are planning their writing. They are getting words down on paper and synthesizing the literature we are reading in class. The writing allows them to better process literature, textbooks, magazine articles and websites both in their academic and personal lives. As Isaac Asimov stated, “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers.”

While reading “Night,” Elie Wiesel’s memoir of his time in Auschwitz, students were to write a journal entry from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor. I was impressed with their fluency, word choice and voice. There are tweaks and changes that could be made to the writing, but writing is a process. Overall, students were able to demonstrate their understanding of the literature through their own words. They were only given 20 minutes to get ideas down on paper.

“My mouth was dry. Sleeping on cold boards didn’t help, trying to find a comfortable position was impossible. But after the stressful day sleep finally washed over me. I didn’t dream …”

“I look around for a familiar face, a friend, a neighbor, someone from my town. I find no one. I have never felt more alone.”

“I feel death creeping in around me, but worrying for others is overwhelming. My room seems so cold; even if I was holding fire in my arms.”

April 1-4, students will take the SBA and HSGQE. I am eager to see how well students do on the testing this year. And to make sure we see additional growth, we will tweak our teaching methods next year so students will continue to grow and learn. Most importantly, they will hone their skills and see themselves as writers.

Jill Showman teaches English I at Wasilla High School. She has taught for 17 years.