What I'm Thinking So Far about All of This...

In all three articles I have read there seems to be a common theme of using students' experiences and established knowledge when it comes to teaching them how to write. Students enter the classroom with backgrounds and foundations already established. Teachers need to figure out where a student is coming from and expand on the foundation that exists. One article I read by Graves stated, "Take their writing where it is and show them how to make it better." There is no one starting point, and there is no way method that will work across the board. It is vital for teachers to recognize this and be supportive and optimistic regardless of where a student starts out.
There also seems to be a common theme of a need for teachers to be supportive and open to each students. A student will embrace an assignment if it is an interest to them. Many of the articles support students picking their own topics for writing assignments and collaboration between students. Students are use to interaction, whether it is at home, with a form of technology, or through converstaion. This interaction needs to be carried over to writing. Students will value their work more if they know other classmates will read it. They also will get to personally experience editing and revision, not only through their work but through the work of there peers. It is often easier to see common mistakes when you are looking at a piece of writing that is not your own.
A teacher needs to demonstrate how to take a verbal conversation and put the same ideas in a form of writing. This way the student will understand the difference between verbal and written communication. In one article students where very articulate outside of the classroom, but once in the classroom they could only write simple sentences. Again, the teacher needs to recognize the where the student's strengths are and try to incorporate their interests and background in the classroom.
When I think about the memorandum assignment I think that these are the issues that need to be focused on. A student's experiences are valuable to the teachings of the classroom. Each studnet is different. Each student can be successful. Each student has a trigger. It is the teacher's job to focus in on the students and help them succeed.