[LIT] Sole reader

[ljackson]

I had a very young child write a poignant memoir about a fight between her
parents when her dad left her mom.  It was very personal, she had a very
clear memory of the fight.  She wanted to enter the story in a young
author's event and I was concerned for her family's privacy.  I suggested
that she share the story with her parents and ask them how they felt.  I got
thank you calls from both mom and dad... And they had no problem with the
going public.

I had another child describe shooting himself in the toe of a thankfully
overlarge shoe.  Went straight to the counselor.

I think that kids need to know our obligations to report.  I told my first
and second graders!  We talked about the kinds of secrets to keep and the
kind that simply cannot be kept.  I am with you, Tena, I think that
in-school writing is always written with an audience in mind and I would
encourage them to keep it in an at-home journal.  If it is there, we have an
obligation to read and act upon anything that puts a child in an at-risk
situation.  

Lori


On 8/4/07 8:24 PM, "Tena Linsbeck-Perron" <tlinsb71 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Often we are the sole reader of student writing. Have you ever some
> across a disturbing piece? What do/did you do? Have you ever had a "do
> not read" section of a student note book in which they write but ask
> you not to read? Is that even advisable?

-- 
Lori Jackson
District Literacy Coach & Mentor
Todd County School District
Box 87
Mission SD  57555
 
http:www.tcsdk12.org
ph. 605.856.2211


Literacies for All Summer Institute
July 17-20. 2008
Tucson, Arizona