#172 The Importance of a Personal Story (pt.2)

#172 The Importance of a Personal Story (pt.2)

Author: Jacob Chastain & Pam Ochoa December 24, 2023 Duration: 0:00

Welcome everyone to the Craft & Draft podcast! We are so excited to bring you what we love, talking with you about workshop, literacy, writing, reading, and real world teaching. 

In this episode, Jacob and Pam talk about the importance of story.  Pam attended the Abydos International Writing Trainers’ and Teachers’ conference and she came back with thoughts about listening to our students’ stories.  Pam shares how she listened to one of the keynote speakers, Sayantani Dasguptpa, a middle grade novelist and professor at Columbia University for Narrative Medicine in pediatrics. The speaker shared how she teaches healthcare professionals to listen to their patients’ stories so they may help them more.

Jacob explains how he pays attention to his students when they tell their story.  He discusses how teachers must create moments when students have opportunities to write freely in a safe place, so that they may express themselves without the restriction of a teacher driven assigned writing prompt.

Join Jacob and Pam as they discuss why educators need to pause and listen to the students and learn their stories.  Maybe it will help us help them more, too.

The post #172 The Importance of a Personal Story (pt.2) appeared first on Craft & Draft.


Jacob Chastain, from Teach Me, Teacher, and Pam Ochoa, an Abydos trainer, bring their combined classroom and coaching experience to every conversation on Craft & Draft. This isn't a theoretical lecture; it's a practical dialogue built on their specific Craft & Draft approach, designed to make the reading-writing workshop model work in real secondary classrooms. You'll hear them unpack the nuances of workshop teaching, from structuring effective mini-lessons to facilitating meaningful student conferences. They delve into the intentional separation of craft study and drafting time, offering actionable strategies for fostering independent, engaged writers and readers. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in the teachers' lounge with two insightful colleagues who aren't afraid to discuss the challenges and celebrate the breakthroughs. The podcast serves as a steady resource for educators looking to move beyond theory and into the day-to-day reality of building a dynamic literacy workshop. Tune in for honest reflections, concrete examples, and the collective wisdom of two practitioners dedicated to refining their craft alongside their listeners.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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