20 Minute Write

1
20 Minute Write

• A framework for making the most of each HSA
  minute

2
20 Minutes of Class-time

• The HSA questions are very similar to those
  questions presented on the SAT.
• The HSA questions often require students to use
  their knowledge from all content areas to fully
  respond to the prompt.

3
The English HSA

• The time limits given for two of three sections
  include the time to write an Extended Constructed
  Response.
• Students need to know how to manage their time.

4
For example

• If the time limit is 40 minutes,
• the students will have 40 minutes to respond to
  the ECR AND the BCR questions AND the SR
  questions!
• 40 20 20 minutes

5

• All students need to be aware of the time
  constraints.

6

• All students need to learn how to address the
  question fully.
• Honors Students may need practice limiting their
  focus to the essentials.

7
HSA ECR Sample Questions

• Write a well-organized essay in which you
  explain a goal you have set for yourself.
  Support your ideas with examples from your
  experiences or the experiences of others. Be
  sure your writing is fully developed and
  logically organized.

8
HSA ECR Sample Questions

• Consider the following statement by Muhammad
  Ali, a former heavyweight boxing champion
• Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to
  explain. Its not something you learn in school.
  But if you havent learned the meaning of
  friendship, you really havent learned anything.
• Write a well-organized essay in which you agree
  or disagree with some or all of Alis ideas about
  friendship. Support and explain your position.
  You support may include specific examples from
  your studies, experiences and observations. Be
  sure your essay is fully developed, that it is
  logically organized, and that your choice of
  words expresses your ideas clearly.

9
The 20 minute Write

• Use the writing process
• 3 minutes to analyze the question and brainstorm
• 2 minutes to order ideas
• 12 minutes to draft a response
• 3 minutes to revise and edit

10
Just for Practice

• You have been selected to be a teacher
  representative from FCPS for the MSDE HSA Impact
  Committee. Write an essay that describes how the
  HSA has impacted the instructional practices in
  your classroom. Be sure your writing is fully
  developed and logically organized.

11
Step 1 Analyze the Question (1 min.)

• You have been selected to be a teacher
  representative from FCPS for the MSDE HSA Impact
  Committee. Write an essay that describes how the
  HSA has impacted the instructional practices in
  your classroom. Be sure your writing is fully
  developed and logically organized.

12
Step 2 Brainstorm Ideas (2 min.)

• 20-minute write
• Released test questions as warm-ups
• I ignore it completely
• Voluntary State Curriculum
• Not my problem I teach an elective class
• Higher stress
• Clarified curriculum

13
Step 3 Order Ideas (2 min.)

• 20-minute write Classroom Practice 1
• Released test questions as warm-ups- Classroom
  Practice 1
• I ignore it completely
• Voluntary State Curriculum Curriculum 2
• Not my problem I teach an elective class
• Higher stress Personal 3
• Clarified curriculum Curriculum 2

14
Step 4 Drafting a Response (12 min.)

• If students have
• identified the key terms in the question
• Brainstormed ideas
• Organized ideas
• it is possible to write a well crafted response.
• It is recommended that students double space
  response to provide room for revision/editing.

15
Step 5 Revise and Edit (3 min.)

• Students should reread their writing and make
  corrections.
• If time permits at the end of the session,
  students can examine their writing more closely
  final drafting may be possible.

16
Helpful Hints

• Have students practice the 20 minute write as
  often as possible.
• Encourage students to use the writing process.
• Tell students you will time them in 10 minute
  increments.
• Review and use the ECR rubric.
• Allow students to score their own writing.

17
Helpful Hints

• Discuss with students how they can improve their
  writing.
• Adapt this process to other types of writing.
• Visit the MSDE website
• http//www.mdk12.org/mspp/high_school/look_like/in
  dex.html
• It provides links to released tasks for all HSA
  tests.