Writing to Learn

Writing to Learn Defined• Writing to Learn is a strategy through

which students can develop their ideas, their critical thinking ability and their writing skills.

• Writing to Learn can be used as a formative assessment and as a way to scaffold from low- to high- stakes writing assignments.

High-Stakes Writing(To Demonstrate Learning)

• Formal academic writing (Research papers, formal essays, business proposals, etc.)

• Usually graded• Expected to follow the conventions of

formal academic prose• Additional expectations for conventions

may apply that are specific to disciplines (i.e. lab reports, technical writing, etc.)

Low-Stakes Writing(To Stimulate Learning)

• Less formal and used to stimulate thought, generate ideas and connections, keep students engaged and thinking during class, and/or give information about students’ understanding

• Formative tool, usually not graded• Journals, Exit Tickets, Gallery Walk,

Discussion Boards, Quick Writes, etc.

“I don’t know what I think until I write it down.” Norman

Mailer

“If you can’t put it into words, you don’t know it.” Faye Sellers

Think Time……

1. Explore Writing to Learn resources2. Highlight key points3. Make notes of connections made4. Brainstorm examples of low- and

high- stakes writing activities5. Be prepared to share information

Writing to Learn Activity1. Compose an email to your teachers

outlining…– Information you have learned about Writing to

Learn, especially Low-Stakes Writing, as an instructional strategy

– Your expectations for writing in all classrooms, including specific writing activities you want to see when visiting

2. Share your email with someone at your table

3. Share email with whole group