So much writing!

Why do I ask for so much of it? Then I have to read it. Do I think students won't write unless they think I'm reading it?

So much depends upon the first few class meetings: expectations set, attention focused, energy rewarded. I have to have some kind of "follow through" so that students do their homework as well as their classwork.

The thing is: all writing is good. All writing helps students become better writers. Even the goofy writing like they're doing on our class blog. Silly!