Erin's+Found+Poem

The Standardized Bastardization of Writing The following is a __**found poem**__ from "Writing as Praxis" by Robert P. Yagelski The question is why? We need a revolution in the teaching of writing. better than 80 percent of high school seniors achieve a basic level of writing less than a quarter write at a proficient level and a measly 1 percent write at an advanced level college readiness?!? more than a third of high school juniors are not prepared for college-level writing //-The poet is currently experiencing an existential dilemma as she grades woeful persuasive essays on Arthur Miller's __Crucible__ and who, oh who, could be most at fault// //Not Pretty// Writing remains poorly understood We simply do don't teach writing in ways that give students access to its transformative power; //We don't give students a chance to let writing transform their lives.// Standardized tests continues to narrow the focus of writing instruction. Because most educators don't understand writing. Most secondary English teachers don't see themselves as writers //most secondary English teachers don't see...// Written language -- intensifies the writer's awareness at that moment the complex relationship between language and our sense of being. //One can grow and learn from a writing practice that celebrates the act of writing as what matters. The moment of composition becomes a celebration of what it means to be alive at the very moment of writing.// Writing, in other words, connects the three major tenses of our experience to make meaning. //Writing as Praxis can transform the world of today into the world I yearn for through the 'phenomenological understanding' which comes through the act of writing// All this-and more-is somehow contained in the moment of writing.
 * //Note//**//: The poet has been profoundly moved at the reading of this article. Her mind is blown wide open with regards to what a meaningful written assessment should look like. It has been a tug at her very soul to have students learn about themselves// **//as they write//** //about themselves. The possibility for writing within curricular guidelines AND working towards providing students the needed practice that will transform their lives. Academically titillating, indeed.//