Writing Right!

WRITING RIGHT!Melinda D. LawsonJordan RheaAlbert Hill Middle School

INTRODUCE RUBRIC Provide a rubric for each student. Explain that each piece of writing will

address one component of the rubric at a time.

See RPS rubric.

THE PROCESS Have a target date

in mind about where you want students to be each month.

Start teaching writing on the first day of school. Writing portfolio Rubric Genres

STEP 1: WRITING TO A PROMPT Five paragraphs.

This is standard for most tests including SOL, GRE, Praxis.

Choose topic: Write class essay for each class.

Model what you expect as essay is written on board.

Ex. Essay 1

PARTS OF AN ESSAY Introduction: answer

the prompt and give three reasons.

Body: discuss the three reasons in three different paragraphs.

Conclusion: summary of the paper.

STEP 2: FLYING SOLO Assign students a

five paragraph essay.

Have students grade essays only counting paragraphs.

20 points per paragraph.

Several assignments with this rubric.

STEP 3: ADD TRANSITION WORDS Typically two transition

words: 1 in body 1 in conclusionModel what this looks like

with original class essay.Allow students to use one

of previous essays to add transition words. Submit for grade.

Assign several essays with new rubric: 5 pps, 2 transition words.

Ex. Essay 2

TEACHING STRATEGY 2: ESSAY PUZZLE Cut up an essay by

paragraph and have student put it in order.

STEP 4: ADD 2 WORD WALL WORDS: READING ESSAY

TOOLS FOR SUCCESS Don’t lose sight of

your timeline. If possible, have

students type essays prior to submitting.

Otherwise provide lined paper for final drafts. See sample in folder.

Careful with sending revisions home.

Students lose points when all drafts are not attached.

Guide students with revision and editing. Point them in the direction of what needs to be fixed.

READ! Use theme readers

with caution. Know the strengths

and weaknesses of all students.

Process requires a careful reading of first draft. Spot check all additional drafts based on comments of previous draft.

TIPS FOR GENRES Narrative- start with

narrative. All students have a story to tell.

Persuasive- provide word wall words that will fit, ex. inane, exasperated, fallacy. Also teach rhetorical questioning and sarcasm. i.e. Who would want to go to school on Saturday? Not me.

Choose word wall words that will fit into any prompt or genre, i.e myriad, quandary, evident, copious.

See sample sheet

JANUARY…WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Look at the constant mistakes students are still making.

Develop a plan of action to fix those issues in the most realistic and effective way possible.

Tell students which mistakes will cost them points. Have candid conferences with students.

TEACHING STRATEGY 1: GRADING PAPERSGrade several papers whole class. This forces students to “see” what writing looks like.

AVOID WRITING:THE REASON IS BECAUSE…INSTEAD WRITETHE REASON IS

NEVER QUESTION OR TALK TO THE READEREX. HI MY NAME IS JACK AND IN THE EIGHTH GRADE AT ALBERT HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL.EX. NOW THAT YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL, HOW DO YOU FEEL?

DO NOT START SENTENCES WITHAND, BUT, OR

WHEN YOU START A SENTENCE WITH WHEN OF IF, A COMMA MUST BE IN THE SENTENCE.IF I GO TO THE MOVIES, I’LL SEE ALL OF MY FRIENDS.WHEN I EAT TOO MUCH, MY STOMACH ACHES.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

YOU’LL DO IT!!!!