September 15, 2008
A publication of You-Can-Teach-Writing.com
Vol. 1 No. 5, September 15, 2008
Writing Points is sent only to subscribers. To unsubscribe, use the link at the bottom of this message.
In This Issue:
Delicious descriptive writingAn alternative to 1-shot tests
Examples of authentic ELA prompts
Delicious descriptive writing
Here's a writing activity that teaches students the meaning of relating specific details. It's easy, fun, and nutritious.Supplies: Enough apples for everyone in the class.
Procedure: Each student examines one apple closely. Tell students to write a paragraph describing their apple so precisely that could select their apple from all the other apples.
When the students finish writing, collect the apples. If you have a small group, mix them up so the donor isn't obvious. You may add a couple of extra apples to make the task more challenging for a small group.
As one student reads his/her description aloud, have another student find the apple it describes. Scramble the apples after each student's turn. When all the apples have been identified, students can eat their apples.
This activity may be done with other fruits that don't get squishy from handling.
An alternative to 1-shot tests
Testing isn't bad.Making a student's grade depend on the outcome of one test is bad.
You and I can't do anything about the SATs or state-mandated competency tests, but we don't have to use all-or-nothing tests to assess skill achievement.
A good alternative is to state goals in terms of consecutive attempts, as is done in this annual objective:
At the end of grade nine, students who have previous knowledge of the writing prompt and at least 24 hours to prepare will be able to write a 500-word persuasive essay in an hour without consulting their notes or other sources other than a dictionary. The essay will meet the standards listed on the grading guide. Students will have achieved the objective when they are able to perform at this level on three consecutive attempts.
A student can meet the standard after three attempts or after 30. Consecutive attempts are a good measurement of skill or of the ability to apply knowledge to a variety of situations that are under teacher control.
Examples of authentic ELA prompts
I recently posted some new pages containing authentic English language arts writing prompts.One page shows a writing prompt about grammar to illustrate how you can prepare daily informal writing prompts that help you teach content.
Another page gives you four authentic topics for argument essays with one or two no-brainer writing prompts on those topics.
Watch for additional pages about writing prompts, including some that give you prompts you can download for use with your students.
You do know that it is illegal as well as unethical to copy material from my site without permission, don't you? I'd hate to think any of my subscribers would take food from my mouth!
A note from Linda
I get mail regularly from site visitors whose children want to become writers. If you are one of those parents, or a teacher of one of them, I recommend you read Jennifer Brown Banks' article "C. Hope Clark Shows Writers the Money — An Interview" published in a recent issue of Writing for DOLLARS. It's a good dose of reality.While you're at the writingfordollars site, glance at the markets list. Only one market on the list in that week's issue seeks fiction. The other nine all want nonfiction. If that doesn't tell you something about the kind of writing your kids must learn, there's no hope for you!
The next issue of Writing Points will be published Oct. 15, no providence preventing.
Until then, keep your pencil sharp!
Linda
I would love to hear from you. Please use the form on the web site for your initial message. After I know you are you and not some dreadful spammer, I will "white list" you so we can exchange e-mails without going through the site.