Write-A-Loud

The write-aloud article really engaged my thinking into the fact that educators do not model HOW to write. We always show students the end product of the written form. I have written poems collaboratively in class, but I have never modelled how I write. I began to think about all the activites we demonstrate to students. Ex. How to shoot a basketball, how to draw a picture,even how to handwrite letters. Doesn't it make sense to demonstrate HOW to write?? The most challenging part of writing is the pre-writing phase. How do I decide what I want to write? From here, how do I brainstorm about what I write? Then, how do I actually write? In my next lesson I would like to give the students a break from their own writing and focus on how I think and engage during the writing process. I want them to be observers of my process, but to also think about their own process. I am concerned about how to engage the students in the lesson. I was thinking of : 1) Students copy my process and actions. 2) During moments that I am thinking or stumped, students can answer questions that engage their thinking. For example, How do you brainstorm? What did you notice about my brainstorming? 3) Have students pair/share and discuss each stage of the process. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could make this lesson engaging for students?? Can anyone think of potential issues?? What are your thoughts about modelling your writing process to students?