How will I respond?

I really admire Atwell's conferencing procedures. I would like to borrow her ideas when I begin writing conferences, because they seem so perfect! Her mandatory conferencing equipment, for example, sounds like a great start: "the status-of-the-class record on a clipboard, a pad of four-by-six-inch Post-it notes...and my footstool" (49). The status-of-the-class record on a clipboard would extinguish the need for asking students, during class, where they are in their writing. The Post-it notes seem ideal for helping students remember your suggestions, because all too often, students don't write down your comments and later forget them (therefore not revising or improving their writing). Hopefully, I will also be able to carry a footstool around the room in order to look my students in the eye and comfortably situate myself in front of their writing.

When it comes to asking questions, I also plan on using Atwell's list of questions found on page 54. These questions are open-ended, which force students to give detailed, clarifying answers. I may even carry the questions around with me when I first begin implementing writing conferences, so as not to get stuck or feel unhelpful. Then, once I get used to the questions, I can come up with my own or have these questions embedded in my brain.

I found this article very useful and am glad I read it!