20082009 Grade 4 and 7 Writing Changes

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2008-2009 Grade 4 and 7 Writing Changes

• Thanks to Joe Wolfe of State Testing and
  Accountability
• CI Contact jann.peck_at_cms.k12.nc.us

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A MAJOR Paradigm Shift

• From High Stakes Assessments
• To Tasks/Assignments
• The Assessment Process is NOT the same as it has
  always been.
• This shift affects the way we Practice Student
  Writing, Evaluate Student Writing, Train Teachers
  to Assess and Score Writing

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A Comparison of Current and Proposed Writing
Assessment
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• A Comparison of Current
• and Proposed Writing
• Assessment

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• Implementation and Timelines
• Currently DPI is considering the following
  implementation scenarios.
• The vision is the same starting in 09-10
  however, two options can be pursued in 08-09 to
  achieve the same step forward in writing
  assessment.

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7th GRADE WRITING STRATEGIES
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Content (evaluative)

• Popcorn Fundraiser
• The seventh grade at George Middle school is
  planning to sell popcorn at the football games.
  They want to buy the brand of popcorn that will
  yield the most cooked popcorn. They need to
  decide between the following brands and make a
  recommendation to the class sponsor (who also
  happens to be the math teacher!)

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Cont Popcorn Fundraiser

• Brand A 1 cup uncooked popcorn yields 5 cups
  cooked popcorn
• Brand B 4 cups uncooked popcorn yields 25 cooked
  popcorn
• Brand C 3 cups uncooked popcorn yields 10 cups
  cooked popcorn
• Brand D 5 cups uncooked popcorn yields 20 cups
  cooked popcorn

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Students task-Popcorn Fundraiser

• Using the information, write a letter to the
  class sponsor with the recommendation for the
  brand of popcorn to purchase. Your letter should
  include the following information
• The brand(s) which will give you the best ratio
  of uncooked popcorn to cooked popcorn
• An explanation of the reason behind your
  recommendation
• An explanation of the math you used to solve the
  problem

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Problem Solution

• New students who enroll in your school often feel
  left out because they do not have any friends and
  it is not easy for them to make new friends.
  Think of some ways to solve this problem for new
  students to make them feel better about their new
  school. Write a letter to your teacher describing
  what you could do to make a new student feel
  welcome at your school. First, describe the
  problem of being a new student and then explain
  what you would do to help solve the problem.
  Tell why your solution would work or is a good
  idea.

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Dear Abby,

• My little sister is constantly spending her whole
  allowance and asking me for money. I am tired of
  being broke because of her spending habits. What
  should I do?
• Sincerely,
• Frustrated in Florida

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Dear Abby,

• My friends at school litter in the hallways when
  the teachers are not looking. I do not
  participate,but I feel guilty knowing they are
  the ones doing this. Kids in detention pick up
  litter all day long and my friends litter just
  because they know this. What should I do?
• Sincerely,
• Clean in Chicago

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Prompt examination

• Purpose Why?
• Audience Who?
• Context What is the setting?

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Dead words

• Cool
• A lot
• Stuff
• Nice
• Fun
• Always
• Very
• Also
• Good
• Awesome
• Interesting
• To be verbs

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Strong Verbs

• Increase / decrease
• Build
• Create
• Allow
• Teaches
• Permits
• Improves
• Prepares
• Provides

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Elaboration strategies-green card strategies

• Examples- for instance
• Cause and effect- ifthen or Because
• Compare/contrast- similarities and differences

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Cont green card strategies

• Personal experience
• Sequence
• Rhetorical questions
• Explanation

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How can you help your child at home with writing?

• Writing Wrap-up