Last week we asked the question, "Can you trust the system?" Is it worth following the order of the structural models as taught in the IEW syllabus? Over the next few weeks, we will be discussing three threads of skills that are woven through the order of the structural models, beginning with "asking questions." Read more from our founder, Andrew Pudewa, on How to Think:
"But I don’t know what to write!" How many times have we heard those words from a frustrated student? Of course what he is really saying is “I can’t think of what to write,” or even more bluntly, “I can’t think.” So we very helpfully suggest, “Well, now, I’m sure you can think of something...” You know the routine.
When students don’t know what to write, the core issue isn’t necessarily that they don’t have anything to say (although sometimes we wonder what exactly is going on inside those heads), but that they can’t easily access what they know—in other words, get memories, images, facts, ideas, and concepts out of their brains. Our task as teachers is to help with this process and at the same time help them become independent of our help.
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Andrew Pudewa is the founder, principal speaker, and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing. Presenting throughout North America, he addresses—with clarity, insight, practical experience, and welcome humor—issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students' skills. |
