Changing the world one writing assignment at a time...

This is going to be my attempt at blogging through my school year. I have a nagging question that simply needs an answer and I intend to find the solution. How will creating a community of writers impact classroom management and student achievement? Throughout the 2013-2014 school year I began creating a community within my classroom where we read texts, shared ideas, wrote about these pressing thoughts, and then shared these writings with one another. I began to see a community form without even intentionally meaning to produce one. I had very few discipline issues and my students writing excelled. I want to know can this community be replicated and is there a connection between creating an environment where students share their writings, create a sense of family, and a tone of respect for all learners and instructors and student achievement.