I have a student who has been a reluctant writer this year. Unlike many of his peers, his sticking point is not a lack of know-how, for he writes beautifully whenever he chooses to. For him, it seems like more of an inability to engage with any task that is not somehow pleasing to him. His pleasures are not superficial or facile, and his insight and analysis are very astute and comprehensive, but he is eleven, and his refusal to even attempt a simple assignment (or at least look for its small advantages) often devolves into a confrontational tantrum.
BUT, this young scholar happens to love poetry and figurative language, and he also came up with a plot and illustration style for his children's story that he does find pleasing. This happy confluence of events has meant that, although the story was due nearly three weeks ago, he has willingly come most days at lunch and after school to complete the project. (Let's not get into why he won't work on it at home.)
AND, this afternoon at 4:15, he pushed back his chair and leapt up with a whoop of joy. He was finished, and he was pleased with the product, a first for this school year. "I have never been so happy to write one single sentence!" he proclaimed, beaming. Then he turned in his truly charming story (one of the best of the year) and packed his things to go.
I'm not sure if I have been happier to see a single sentence written, either.
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