|
Purpose: To develop writing skills in a variety of
genres
Time: 40 minutes
|
  |
During the Writing Block the students make the connection
between reading and writing. Students read to extract
meaning from the text and write to create a text that
communicates meaning, emotion, and personal experiences.
Students are not assigned writing during the writing block,
nor are they just told to write. Instead, students receive
guided instruction for:
- Format for specific genre - narrative, expository,
descriptive, poetry, research
- Mini-lessons for revision
- Mini-lessons for editing
- Individual conferences
- Evaluation and growth
The Writing Block allows students the temporal environment to
work through all stages in the process:
- Prewriting
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Publishing
Prewriting
A genre and prompt are selected for the writing piece.
The topic allows are individual piece. The topic allows
are individual responses and unique ideas. The teacher
always participates, creating a model.
Graphic Organizers are used to assist the students in
organizing their ideas and creating meaningful text.
Specific graphic organizers are used for different genre to
provide cosistency.
Writing/Drafting
The students use the graphic organizer to create a draft.
The teacher assists through modeling for the whole class, and
conferencing with individuals and small groups.
Revision and Editing
The teacher guides the students through revision and editing
by modeling the process using his/her draft. The students
then work with a partner or editing/revision peer group to
develop and improve their pieces of writing.
Sharing and Publishing
Students share their in-process pieces daily.
Exhibiting on walls and multiple-copy publications such as
journals publishes finished work.
Assessment
A rubric is useful to track to growth of students as they
develop their writing proficiencies. The rubric should
measure:
- Ideas and Development
- Organization
- Vocabulary
- Sentence Structure
- Spelling, Usage, and Mechanics
Journal Writing
Students have an opportunity to write daily in their
journals. The teacher responds in writing to each student
periodically.
Management
Students use a two-pocketed folder to contain work in
progress:
- One sided is used for the "current writing
genre". The student keeps the graphic organizers,
drafts, and final copy until the teacher collects it.
- The student uses the other side for "free write"
or self-sponsored pieces, i.e. poetry, chapter book, letters
to the editor.
- Any student who finishes the current writing piece before
the class immediately works on his personal piece from
pocket two.
Materials Needed
- Pocket Writing Folders one per student
- Writing Portfolio one per student
- Assessment Rubric Forms
|