How do we Assess Primary Writing?

What Research Says About Primary Writing

Writing instruction begins on the first day of kindergarten. We don’t need to wait until children know all their letters, know all their sound-to-symbol relationships, know how to spell all the words they want to use. We don't wait until children can read. Young children are writers as soon as they draw or put a symbol on paper and tell us what it says. We call them writers and treat them as writers from that moment on!

Teaching the Youngest Writers by Marcia Freeman

Best Practices for Teaching Writing 1. Create an inviting classroom.

2. Establish Writing Workshop routines that meet everyday.

3. Teach Writer’s Craft Techniques using the

Writing Process and students’ developmental

writing needs.

4. Provide opportunities for authentic writing.

5. Provide diverse reading materials modeling the

importance of craft and ideas. (Mentor Texts).

What writers KNOW

What writers DO

Best Practices… 6. Make teacher and peer response an

integral part of writing instruction, intermittently throughout the writing process.

7. Use many techniques for responding including student /teacher conferences, peer conferences and author’s chair.

8. Students should revise after responses/conferencing

HOWEVER…

The Best of the Best… Conduct effective writing mini-lessons on a targeted craft or skill by structuring it so that students may:

Observe Discuss Simulate

Writer’s Craft are the skills and techniques that writers know and use to make their writing clear and interesting.

Craft Skills for

Characteristics of genres

Organizing Skills • Prewriting

– Listing

• Planning – Using Graphic Organizers – Sketching

• Beginning Techniques – Question

• Ending Techniques – Feeling

Composing & Literary Skills Composing Literary

Strong verbs Descriptive Attributes Composing & Expanding

Sentences Specificity oWord Choice

• Nouns & Verbs • Prepositions

Comparisons Onomatopoeia Alliteration Sentence variation

When in the writing process do these skills come into play?

Alphabetic Principle, Print Concepts & Conventions Skills

Alphabetic Principle Print Concepts Conventions

Letter-Sound Correspondence Spelling Approximations

Use finger spacing Directionality Text Wrapping

Print upper & lower case letters Write letter/s for consonant & short vowel sounds Spelling High-Frequency Words End Punctuation Capitalize • 1st word in a sentence • I • Names

Plural regular nouns

When in the writing process do these skills come into play?

Let’s Get This Party Started! Things to consider: 1. Pacing Guide!

2. We want to make the writing personal for

the students.

3. Is there anything we did in our reading that is related to a target skill/s?

4. What is the End Target? A class book about “What We Like to Do” (an opinion with supported by a sensory detail) or

An individual book, “What I Like to Do” with several pages.

If they write about themselves they will be more engaged!

Read “ Things I Like ” by A Browne List/Share what you like to do

Think about what CLASS likes To Do” List/Talk

Students sketch 2 or 3 things they like to do

Share personal sketches

Choosing a topic Show your “ Things I Like to do” Choose one to write about

Show your “ Things We Like to do” Choose one to write about

Students choose a topic form their sketches why they chose that particular activity

Adding sensory detail to explain why

Label

Students complete a Chart for their topic Share chart

Illustrate & label picture

Illustrate & label picture together with students

Students draw and label Share the labeled picture and explain

sentence composing I like to _____ because_______.

Composing with students I like to _____ because_______.

Students compose I like to _____ because_______.

Share picture and sentence with the class

Listen To This!

riding my bike playing with toys dressing up climbing trees kicking a ball hiding acrobatics. building sandcastles wading in the sea making a cake

watching tv

going to birthday parties

being with my friends

having a bath

hearing a bedtime story

dreaming

THINGS I LIKE

shoes Shop

for

bake cookies

play

giggle

Jacob

go to movies

TO DO!

THINGS THE BOY LIKES

TO DO!

Thing We Like To Do

play soccer

swim

jump rope play dolls

play games

play football

play school make a

sandwich

play with trucks

THINK of 3 things you like to do.

SHARE with the person next to you. When you go back to you seat, DRAW them on your paper. Make sure you draw enough for you to remember about your favorite things to do.

Things I like

Ex.,

I like

Students use this to draw a picture of themselves doing what they like to do. Encourage details, action and color.

I lik to pla soker beks I kik goz! I like to ______ _______ because_______________.

How can the students’ work be published!

• Class Book- What We Like to DO!

• An Individual Book- Things Taylor Likes to Do! (the student writes about each thing on the list)

• A Bulletin Board entitled:

Things Kindergarteners Like To Do

Teaching writing is not difficult- YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT!

Listen To This!

riding my bike playing with toys dressing up climbing trees kicking a ball hiding acrobatics. building sandcastles wading in the sea making a cake

watching tv

going to birthday parties

being with my friends

having a bath

hearing a bedtime story

dreaming

THINGS I LIKE

shoes Shop

for

bake cookies

play

giggle

Jacob

go to movies

TO DO!

THINGS THE BOY LIKES

TO DO!

Thing We Like To Do

play soccer

swim

jump rope play dolls

play games

play football

play school make a

sandwich

play with trucks

THINK of 3 things you like to do.

SHARE with the person next to you. When you go back to you seat, DRAW them on your paper. Make sure you draw enough for you to remember about your favorite things to do.

Things I like

Ex.,

play soccer

Mommy cheers

soccer goal juice box ball, grass

dirt, sweat

I like to ______ _______ because_______________.

Primary Writing Rubric (for teacher purposes only NOT for the student)

Grade Low Medium High Common Core State Standards (NGSSS)

Exemplar Samples of Student Writing

Common Core State Standards

MDCPS: Division of Language Arts/Reading, June 2011

K

Drawing / Scribbling

AND

orally explains

the drawing/scribbles which

demonstrates the student is

ON-topic

Emergent Writer Characteristics:

-Understands writing communicates ideas -Uses pictures -Scribbles, letter- like symbols, or random letters -Does not connect letters to sounds -Pretends to read -May randomly copy print from around the room

AND

orally points to letters/symbols to pretend to read

the piece

which demonstrates the student is

ON-topic

W.K.1 Persuasive/ Opinion: (LA.K.4.3.1) • Drawing, dictating, and writing • State the topic or name the book • State an opinion or preference

W.K.2 Informative/Explanatory: (LA.K.4.2.2) • Drawing, dictating, and writing • Name what they are writing about • Some information on the topic

W.K.3 Narrative: (LA.K.4.1.1) • Drawing, dictating, and writing • Single event or ordered events • React to what happened

L.K.2: Conventions • L.K.2a: Capitalize first word in the sentence

Capitalize the pronoun I (LA.K.3.4.2) • L.K.2b: End punctuation (LA.K.3.4.3) • L.K.2c Write a letter/s for most consonants

Writes a letter for most short vowels • L.K.2d Spells simple words phonetically

(LA.K.3.4.1)

Goal: Early Writer Characteristics - More than one details on a topic - Chooses topics generally related to experience - Understands most print concepts - May not understand spaces around words - Connects letters to sounds - Some high frequency words

W.K.1 Persuasive/ Opinion:

• Contains a title • Sequenced picture displaying a beginning,

middle, & end • Names the book • States an opinion or preference about the

favorite part W.K.2 Informative/Explanatory:

• Contains a title • Creates a context for writing • Details about the topic containing specific words

choice, number words, descriptive details, and a comparison

• Uses linking words • Uses transitional words • Sense of closure

W.K.3 Narrative:

• Established a situation by naming a place • Several linked events • Events are in chronological order • Provides a reaction to what happened • Sense of closure

Primary Writing Rubric (for teacher purposes only NOT for the student)

Grade Low Medium High Common Core State Standards (NGSSS)

Exemplar Samples of Student Writing

Common Core State Standards

MDCPS: Division of Language Arts/Reading, June 2011

Gr. K

Narrative Exemplar Informative ExemplarPersuasive Exemplar

Primary Writing Rubric (for teacher purposes only NOT for the student)

Grade Low Medium High Common Core State Standards (NGSSS)

Exemplar Samples of Student Writing

Common Core State Standards

MDCPS: Division of Language Arts/Reading, June 2011

1

Draws a picture about the topic

AND/OR

Writes 1 sentence

which

demonstrates the student is

ON-topic

Draws a picture about the topic

AND/OR

Writes 2 or more sentences

BUT

not a complete thought

or paragraph

which

demonstrates the student is

ON-topic

W.1.1 Persuasive/ Opinion: (LA.1.4.3.1) • Introduce topic or name the book • State an opinion • Write a reason for the opinion • Sense of closure

W.1.2 Informative/Explanatory: (LA.1.4.2.2) • Name a topic • State facts about the topic • Sense of closure

W.1.3 Narrative: (LA.1.4.1.1) • Two or more sequenced events • Some details about what happened • Temporal words to signal event order • Sense of closure

L.1.2: Conventions: • L.1.2a: Capitalize: (LA.K.3.4.2) Dates

Names of people • L.1.2b: End punctuation (LA.1.3.4.6) • L.1.2c Commas: (LA.1.3.4.3) Dates

To separate single words in a series • L.1.2d Conventional spelling: (LA.1.3.4.1)

Common patterns Irregularly spelled words

• L.1.2e Spell untaught words phonetically

Goal: Developmental Writer Characteristics - Writes many details on a topic - Can write beyond personal experience - Experiments with description & word choice - Uses mostly simple and complex sentences - Some convention spelling or inventive - Uses punctuation

W.1.1 Persuasive/ Opinion:

• None provided by CCSS. W.1.2 Informative/Explanatory:

• Contains a title • Names the topic • Supplies many facts about the topic • Sense of closure • Beginning of sentence capitalized • Variety of ending punctuation • Capitalizes proper nouns • Labeled diagrams • Pictures containing labeled maps • Descriptive and sensory details • Specific word choice

W.1.3 Narrative:

• Contains a title • Established the situation with the opening

sentence • Two or more sequenced events • Includes some details regarding what happened • Contains feelings & indirect dialogue • Descriptive and sensory word choice • Uses a comparison • Temporal words to signal event order • Sense of closure • Understands various uses of capital letters • Some punctuation

Primary Writing Rubric (for teacher purposes only NOT for the student)

Grade Low Medium High Common Core State Standards (NGSSS)

Exemplar Samples of Student Writing

Common Core State Standards

MDCPS: Division of Language Arts/Reading, June 2011

Gr. 1

Narrative ExemplarInformative Exemplar

Primary Writing Rubric (for teacher purposes only NOT for the student)

Grade Low Medium High Common Core State Standards (NGSSS)

Exemplar Samples of Student Writing

Common Core State Standards

MDCPS: Division of Language Arts/Reading, June 2011

2

Writes on topic

with NO support

(less than 1 paragraph/

not a complete thought

about

the topic/main idea)

Writes on topic

WITH

a main idea

AND

few details

AND/OR

little support

(1 paragraph

containing a complete thought

focused on

the main idea)

W.2.1 Persuasive/ Opinion: (LA.2.4.3.1) • Introduce topic or book • State an opinion • Write reasons to support the opinion • Use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) • Concluding statement or section

W.2.2 Informative/Explanatory: (LA.2.4.2.2) • Introduce the topic • State facts to develop points • State definitions to develop points • Concluding statement or section

W.2.3 Narrative: (LA.2.4.1.1) • WELL elaborated event or sequence of events • Details to describe actions, thoughts, & feelings • Temporal words to signal event order • Sense of closure

L.2.2: Conventions • L.2.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of

standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling, when writing. (LA.2.3.4.6 & below)

• L.2.2a: Capitalize holidays (LA.2.3.4.2) Capitalize product names Capitalize geographic names • L.2.2b: Commas in greetings &

closings of letters (LA.2.3.4.3) • L.2.2c Apostrophes for contractions (LA.2.3.4.3)

Apostrophes for frequently occurring possessives

• L.2.2d Generalize learned spelling patterns for new Words (LA.2.3.4.1)

Goal: Fluent Writer Characteristics - Writing that flows and sounds fluent - May write about imaginative ideas beyond personal experience - Prewrites with a variety of organizational tools - Can write for a variety of purposes and text formats - Uses descriptive and complex sentences - Demonstrates a writer’s voice appropriate for purpose & audience - Age appropriate mastery of conventions

W.2.1 Persuasive/ Opinion: • Contains a title • Introduces title with a statement straight from

the book • States an opinion about the book • Supplies a well elaborated and extended

reason • Uses linking words to connect opinion to reason • Uses transitional words • Concluding statement • Understands titles are capitalized • Capitalizes pronouns & beginning of sentences • Underlines title of book • Mostly conventional spelling • End punctuation • Some commas and apostrophes

W.2.2 Informative/Explanatory: • None provided by CCSS.

W.2.3 Narrative: • Establishes setting with time and place • Setting prepares for what is coming next • Events sequenced in chronological order • Events are well extended & elaborated • Temporal words utilized to signal order • Variety of details to describe actions, thoughts, &

feelings • Utilized specific word choice & number words • Sense of closure • Beginning of sentence capitalization • End of sentence punctuation • Sentence variety to end sentences • Variety of sentence lengths • Pronoun I consistently capitalized • Almost perfect spelling • Uses commas and apostrophes • Uses linking words to connect short sentences • Uses transitional words

Primary Writing Rubric (for teacher purposes only NOT for the student)

Grade Low Medium High Exemplar Common Core State Standards (NGSSS) Samples of Student Writing

Common Core State Standards

1

MDCPS: Division of Language Arts/Reading, June 2011

My first tooth is gone

I recall one winter night I was four. My sister and I were running down the hall and something happened. It was my sister and I had run right into each other. Boy! did we cry. But not only did I cry, my tooth was bleeding. Then it felt funny. Then plop! There it was lying in my hand. So that night I put it under my pillow and in the morning I found something. It was not my tooth it was two dollars. So I ran down the hall, like I wasen’t supposed to, and showed my mom and dad. They were surprised because when they lost teeth

Gr. 2

Narrative Exemplar

Persuasive Exemplar

1

Format of Writer’s Workshop

Teacher Needs

A Meeting Place

Chart Paper

Mentor Text, Writing Stimulus that gives an

example of the desire product.

Student Needs

A Daily Writing Folder

Lesson Format: Teacher Models a short tightly

focused Lesson on a Topic/Element

o Thinking about the Topic

o Topic Sketching

o Talking about the Topic

Teacher extends the Invitation to Write!

Students think about the topic

Students sketch topic

Students talk about the topic with everyone they

know . (When Students talk, the important part is the talk not the

listening!)

Students begin writing on their own! Students leave their meeting place and return to their

space to write.

Teacher is moving among them conferring and offering

support and guidance.

2

Time to SHARE! Teacher calls students back to the meeting place and using

the following format:

Ask students to share their work by holding it up for

the world to see.

Partner students to share with each other before they

put their work away

Select four or five students to share aloud.

Direct students to respond appropriately to peers

using “Compliments” or “TAG”

Building a writing

community provides a

safe environment for

risk taking!

12

Characteristics of: Personal Narrative Personal Expository Persuasive

Tells a personal story

Focused on one event that appears to be significant to the writer

Can be fictional

Needs to include the elements of a story (characters, setting, simple plot - movement through time and change)

Uses sensory details

Uses feelings

Is reflective

Explains why, how or what

Focused on one topic that is significant to the writer (personal or class thematic

unit)

Includes ideas that explain and support

Uses comparisons

er, est

similes

Uses sensory details

Is reflective

States an opinion or what you want

Gives reasons why

Includes people who are on your side

Tells what you will do if you get it (If…then…)

Tells why you should have it NOW

Genres

with a

PRIMARY

FOCUS!

Focus

Is my writing on topic?

Organization Does my writing have …

• A beginning?

• A middle?

• An end?

Support Do I add MORE

Conventions about

my topic? • Facts/Details • Use your senses • WOW words • Examples • Reasons

Have I checked my…

• Punctuation? • Spelling? • Capital letters? • Different kinds

of sentences?

D. Pearce, 2007 Revised 2009

cat atc

a

Does it flow?

A

Planning for a Rigorous KINDERGARTEN Reading/Language Arts Lesson… Week of:

MDCPS – Division of Language Arts/ Reading, July 2011

READING Strand: Literature/ Poetry OR Informational AND Listening/Speaking Text Title: Author:

Standard/s:

Primary

Secondary

Ongoing

Strategy and/or Graphic Organizer --- Use to Respond to Text

SAT 10 Task

Card Question/s:

Essential

Question:

Strand: Foundational Skills Strand: Language Standard – Concepts of Print: __ L to R, T to B, P by B

__ Spoken words represented by letters

__Words separated by spaces

__ Recog /name upper & lower case letters

__ First word of a sentence/ last word

Phonological/ Phonemic Awareness: __Rhyme: Recognition or Production

__Alliteration: Initial Sounds

__Sentence Segmenting

__Syllables Blending/Segmenting/Deletion

__Onset/Rimes: Blending

__Phoneme: Matching/Isolating Initial

Sound, Final Sounds, Medial Sounds

__Phoneme Manipulation:

Initial/Final Phoneme Deletion

Blend Deletion, Phoneme Substitution,

Second Phoneme in Blend Deletion

Standard - Phonics: Letter-Sound Correspondences

__Consonant Letter Names/Sounds

__Vowel Letter Names/ Sounds (short/long)

__Hard & Soft Cc & Gg

__Multiple Sounds of Xx & Ss

Consonant Blends & Diagraphs

__Consonant Diagraphs/ Consonant Blends

__Silent Letter/ Oddities

Variant Vowels

_Vowel Digraphs, _ Diphthongs

Syllable Patterns

_ Closed, _ Open, _VCe, _ R Controlled,

_Vowel Team, _Final Stable

Structural Analysis

__ Compound Words, _ Inflectional Suffixes

__ Prefixes, __Base/Root Words

__ Derivational/ Chameleon Suffixes

High Frequency Words: Standard: Vocabulary Acquisition

Fluency : Opportunities to Reread

With purpose & understanding

Accuracy (Correctness)

Rate (Speed)

Expression (Tone & Intonation)

Reread to Confirm/Self-Correct

Standard: Conventions

Planning for a Rigorous KINDERGARTEN Reading/Language Arts Lesson… Week of:

MDCPS – Division of Language Arts/ Reading, July 2011

LANGUAGE ARTS Strand: Writing & Language

Genre: Text Types

__Opinion -I think, I know

__Informative/Expository -name topic/subject

-supply information

__Narrative - a single event or several loosely

linked events.

- events in order

- a reaction to what happened.

Research: _Shared Research/Writing

_Gather Info to Answer Questions

Process: Prewrite/Plan: List/Graphic Organizer

Sketch

Draft: Use labeled diagrams to explain

Tell/write what happened

Revise Based on Questions &

Suggestions: Add another word

Add more color to picture

Add more information/detail

Reorder information

Edit: _Grammar

_Conventions

Publish: _ Class or individual Book

_ PowerPoint /Video

Targeted Skills: Organizing

_Sorting details

_Sequencing (BME)

_Topic sentence

_Beginnings ( Questions)

_Endings (Feeling/Reaction)

Composing/Literary Skills: _Strong Verbs -

_Descriptive Attributes

-color, number, size, age, shape, made

from words

_Specificity

-use names for people & pets

_use where or when phrase

_Comparing; -er, -est , simile

_Alliteration , Rhyming, Noise words

_Sentence Variation

-ask a question

Language Standards

Grammar/Usage Conventions

_Noun & Verbs

_plural regular nouns

_Prepositions

_ Composing & Expanding

Sentences

_Use finger spaces

_Directionality

_ Wrapping Text

_Print upper & lower

case letters

_End Punctuation

_Write letter/s for

consonant & short vowel

sounds

Capitalize:

_1st word in sentence

Spell

_ simple words

phonetically

_High Frequency words

MENTOR TEXT(S) OR STIMULI END PRODUCT: WRITER’S WORKSHOP FORMAT

Teacher Models Topic or Skill Thinking

Sketching

Talking

Guided (Students Think-Sketch-Talk):

Think-Pick a topic

Sketch the ideas/details of topic

Talk to partner about drawing &

about what their writing will say.

Independent Writing (teacher

roams/conferences):

Sharing (Students): Share writing

Tell what their partner wrote

Tell what skill they were working on

Give a thumbs up or compliment when

they hear a target skill in their

partner’s writing

Teacher Models Topic

or Skill:

Guided (Students Think,

Sketch, Talk):

Independent Writing

Sharing:

Teacher Models Topic

or Skill:

Guided (Students Think,

Sketch, Talk):

Independent Writing

Sharing:

Teacher Models Topic

or Skill:

Guided (Students Think,

Sketch, Talk):

Independent Writing

Sharing:

Teacher Models Topic or Skill:

Guided (Students

Think, Sketch, Talk):

Independent Writing

Sharing:

Teacher Models Topic

or Skill:

Guided (Students Think,

Sketch, Talk):

Independent Writing

Sharing:

Things I Like

by Anthony Browne

This is me and this what it I like:

painting. . . and riding my bike,

Playing with toys, and dressing up.

Climbing trees and kicking a ball. Hiding …

and acrobatics. Building sandcastles, and

wading in the sea. Making a cake and

watching TV.

Going to birthday parties, and being with my friends.

Having a bath . . .

. . . hearing a bedtime story . . .

and dreaming.

I’ll Show You You Help Me I’ll Help You Now You Do It

Yourself

Teacher

demonstration

in mini-lessons:

Teacher has all

the responsibility

for the writing

Class

participation in

mini-lessons:

The teacher has

the most

responsibility for

the writing and

the children

contribute as

they are able

At-the-elbow

conferences:

The child has the

most responsibility

for the writing and

the teacher

provides support as

needed.

Independent

Writing:

The child has all the

responsibility for

the writing

Teacher Responsibility Student Responsibility

Model for Explicit Teaching in Writer’s Workshop

in Writing Workshop

Giving a Mini-lesson

1. Give the lesson a catchy name.

2. Keep it brief.

3. Focus on 1 key learning concept.

4. Let the student know up front what they will be

learning.

5. Start by connecting the lesson with what they

already know or are already doing.

6. Be explicit and direct.

7. Expect students to be accountable for their

learning.

8. Plan mini-lessons based on what your

students need to know.

9. Once is never enough!

Conferring with Young Writers

Writing conferences are conversations between student and teacher/coach. The

teacher observes and coaches in ways that either help the young writer do what the

writer is trying to do better or direct him to take on new more challenging strategies.

Informal Conferences happen as the teacher roams among the students as they write.

The Walk-By (for students who have the skill under

control)

The Stop and Go (for students who are halfway

there.)

The basic principles of writing conferences:

Listening (to what writer is trying to say)

Affirming (what writer has done well)

Reinforcing (the writer’s strength, attempts)

Assessing (confusions, strength, next steps)

Teaching (what’s most important for writer to move forward and only what

the writer is ready for)

Scaffolding (helping the writer say, write, and do what she can’t quite do yet

without help)

Setting goals with students’ input (for the writer to attempt to meet on his

own, with minimal guidance and support).

The teacher’s job in the writing conferences is not to correct a paper, but to teach a

budding writer! The aim of the conference should not be to impart all of his/her

knowledge, but to share one thing that is going to support genuine writing growth

without overwhelming the student or getting behind by spending too much time with

one student.

Effective Format for Conferring with Young Writers

1. SET GOAL - tell them up front what their focus is (a

target skill or trait: ideas, details, beginnings, etc.).

Narrow the teaching focus to one major point.

2. Student reads the piece. When the student reads, it gives the student

ownership but the teacher focuses on the message first-content.

3. REFLECT on what was heard. That becomes instant gratification for the reader.

Many times the student orally fills in the gaps which can be used to add

quality details. The focus should be on “How can you add them?” not

“Would you like to add…”

“HOW IS ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS IN THE A TEACHER’S CONFERRING

KIT!” -Jennifer Jacobson

4. POINT out what is going well; paying a compliment to the reader so he might

repeat the success. (Read the specific sentence and comment,”It creates a wonderful

picture. I can’t wait to read more!)

5. QUESTION- to solicit more details:

What type of ___…

Is that allowed…

When does he…

What color is…

Always follow with “HOW CAN YOU ADD THOSE DETAILS?”

Teach by giving an explanation, looking at a piece of literature together, or

referring back to a mini-lesson.

6. Teach One Skill- There may be students who may be ready to accelerate in

skills beyond the class. Focus on ONE new skill (ex., ellipses…)

Steps 1-5 are used to teach or reteach revision techniques for developing ideas,

organization, word choice, voice and sentence fluency. Understanding each of these

components help the young writers know what makes good writing.

Some Additional Hints for Conferring:

Rather than writing on a student’s paper, use sticky notes.

Rather than re-writing a whole paper to correct a lead, or concluding

paragraph; cut the paper and only re-write that portion, stapling or gluing it

to another sheet.

During the conference, you may have the student talk through what he/she

is going to do in his writing after the conference.

Before the writer leaves, have the writer repeat what he did, said, and will

do.

Write notes on what you taught in the conference and what you learned

about the student on a writing conference log. See sample conference log.

This “Conference Log” is a place to jot down notes of what is discussed

during an individual conference. Each student would have their own log so

if you have 20 students you would need to make 20 copies of this. I would

just keep it in a duo tang folder. The plus would indicate the strengths and

aspect of the writer’s work you praised. The minus sign notes the areas of

process, product, or genre that seemed weak at the time of the conference.

For the next step, make a note of what the write has states as their

intended follow-up. Make a duo tang folder with 30 sheets in it. It is cheap and

simple!

Not all conferences have to be individual. If several students need the

same skill, pull a small group and give a mini-lesson. However, individual

conferences are the most powerful tool for moving student writing!

Conference Log for _________________________________________________________

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

+ - next

Editing Chart

1st Letter 1st Three Words Ending

5 Rules for

Sit like a pretzel. 1.

2. Eyes on the person talking.

3. Ears listening.

4. Hands in lap.

5. Mouths quiet.

MDCPS – Division of Language Arts/Reading, 2010 Adapted from Lucy Calkins

Compliments

Some Positive Things to Do or Say

Your reader will like the way you have…

Your reader can picture…

This piece is easy for me to read.

How did you learn that?

I do the same thing…

Tell me again what happened. Did you put it down that way?

What else do you want your reader to know?

How did you select the topic?

I see you have included some words from the word walls.

I see you used…

Writing T A G

T = Tell

I like the way you…

I heard you say…

A = Ask a Question

What did you mean when you said…

What happened before…or after…

G = Give a Suggestion

Maybe you can use a better word for…

Tell me more about …

You are it!

I like the way you started your story.