Excellence in Education:
Writing to Learn
Writing to learn is more than just putting a bunch of words
on a paper and turning it in. It becomes a high-impact strategy because it
requires thinking, writing, sharing, reflecting and rewriting. While I saw it
being used mostly in English and Social Studies classes, it could easily be
used in math (explaining the thought process associated with solving a
difficult mathematical problem) or science (reflecting on a lab). Writing to
learn also could easily be incorporated into online discussion boards or
blogs.
In observing several classes this past week, I saw various
Writing to Learn strategies. The following is compilation of those strategies.
Phase 1: Original Write
Students write what they’ve “learned.” This quick write
should only last a couple of minutes. Punctuation and spelling really don’t
matter in this stage; the importance is in students getting their ideas and
thoughts on paper. The original write could be a personal reflection/opinion
(Do you think the United States should use military force in Syria?). It could
be a quick summarization activity or it could be analytical (Why do you think
the protagonist decided to act in such a manner?) The possibilities are
countless but it could easily be used to set up a lesson, after a video clip,
as part of an interactive lecture, or as an exit activity.
Phase 2: Share and Compare
In the second phase, students partner up, share and compare
(think-pair-share). During this stage, the teacher becomes the guide by the
side, walking around the classroom, asking clarifying questions and answering
questions, all while formatively assessing the students.
Phase 3: Clean Up
Students break from their partners and rewrite their
original. This rewrite should be more complete and grammatically correct.
Optional Phases:
The ability to converse and share with classmates can be
extended after the original Pair-Share and/or after the Clean Up stages.
The process can be repeated throughout a unit as new
information is added, challenging students to apply their new learning to the
original essential question. For example, a teacher could expand on the
original question US involvement in Syria by assigning a newspaper article to
read; students repeat the Quick Write Process. Later in the week, students could
research the issue on the Internet enabling them to once-again engage in
another round of Quick Writes.
Of course, if you’ve used the Quick Write process several
times on a similar question, students should be able to better support their
statement with facts. At this point you may have them write in more depth and
breadth, participate in an in-depth conversation, create a blog, etc.
The Writing to Learn process individualizes learning and
requires students to use both lower and higher-order thinking skills. The
multiple steps to the process ensure practice, feedback and reinforcement.
Inspired by what I saw classrooms, I spent a little time
researching and found several
good sources:
·
From Colorado State: http://wac.colostate.edu/intro/pop2d.cfm
Here’s a 10 page pdf for math teachers: http://wac.colostate.edu/journal/vol9/russek.pdf
·
Writing Across the Curriculum (several
strategies that could be used in any class): http://writing2.richmond.edu/wac/wtl.html
·
Writing to Learn (lots of resources): http://www.leadandlearn.com/resource-center/writing-to-learn-resources
·
Ohio State (explanation and booklet): https://carmenwiki.osu.edu/display/osuwacresources/Writing+to+Learn
·
BYU (great chart/examples): http://writing.byu.edu/writing-to-learn/
Administrative Notes
Positive referral link: http://goo.gl/cZIXm7
. Please remember to submit at least one by the end of this month.
Flex starts in October (Tuesdays and Thursdays). More
information to come.
Quote of the Week
Our job is to teach
the students we have.
Not the ones we would
like to have.
Not the ones we used
to have.
Those we have right
now.
All of them.
~Dr. Kevin Maxwell
Upcoming Schedule
September 23rd
Field Hockey @ Culpeper 4:30/6:15 Varsity
first
JV Football vs. Skyline 6:00
Volleyball @ Sherando 6/7:00
September
24th Volleyball vs. Eastern View 6/7:00
Afternoon faculty meeting
September
25th Cross
Country @ Nokesville Park 5:00
Field Hockey vs. George Mason
4:30/6:00 Varsity first
Conference 27 Golf Tournament @
Fauquier Springs 10:00
Morning faculty meeting
September 26th Volleyball vs. Fauquier 6/7
Field Hockey vs. Spotsylvania
4:30/6:00 Varsity first
September 27th
Varsity Football @ Skyline
7:00
September 28th Competition Cheer @ Eastern View 12:00
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