Narrative Writing Techniques for Elementary Teachers Writing Academy

Narrative Writing: Techniques for Elementary Teachers Writing Academy July 28, 2010

How do you feel about writing? Using your thumbs up cards, answer the following questions by holding your card: - Up - Down - In between

How do you feel about writing? I like to write.

How do you feel about writing? I consider myself a good writer.

How do you feel about writing? I like to teach writing to my students.

How do you feel about writing? I teach writing in class on a regular basis.

How do you feel about writing? I feel confident teaching writing to students.

How do you feel about writing? I don’t think that I haven’t reached a point in time where I don’t feel not confident that I can’t not teach writing. . .

When we leave here today, we will have a better understanding of. . . • Writing instruction – School-wide program – Preparation for TCAP – At-risk student writing – Future of the narrative assessment ? ?

Writing Instruction: Two pieces of the puzzle School-wide Writing Program Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment

School-wide Writing Program School-wide writing program When should writing instruction start? Writing instruction begins in 5 th grade Writing instruction REALLY begins in Pre-K and Kindergarten

School-wide Writing Program School-wide writing program Why should we have a school-wide writing program? - creating confident writers is a developmental process - shared responsibility

School-wide Writing Program School-wide writing program What does it look like?

School-wide writing program K-4 School-wide Writing Program Checklist - Developed by Christine Love Thompson In a nutshell: ü 5 skills per year üEach grade level builds upon previous skills üPoint system üBy 4 th grade, students should reach 40 points

School-wide Writing Program Every 6 -9 weeks School-wide writing program K-4 Every 2 -6 weeks Process vs. Product - rough draft - snapshot of ability - graded draft - where we’ll see the most growth - corrected draft - interventions

Application of the Checklist School-wide Writing Program Process Writing: Is it. . . ? Prewriti ng Writi ng The missing piece Rewriti ng Are we done writing yet?

School-wide Writing Program Application of the Checklist Process Writing: Connection to Six Traits Prewriting Ideas Drafting Organization, Voice Revising Editing Word Choice, Sentence Fluency Conventions Publishing Presentation

School-wide Writing Program Application of the Checklist Teaching the Traits through picture books Northern Nevada Writing Projectwritingfix. co m

Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment Preparing for the TCAP Assessment 5 th Grade Think back to the role of K-4 40 = 4(proficient) What is the instructional role of 5 th grade?

Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment Preparing for the TCAP Assessment 5 th Grade Now we’re thinking 5. . . 6. . . How can we get there?

Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment Preparing for the TCAP Assessment 5 th Grade • Pre-write • Start with a BANG! • Restate prompt in your introduction • Organize your writing • Past tense • Limit conversation • Audience • • Show your voice Figurative language First-person Syntactic variety Juicy vocabulary Conclude your story REREAD and revise

Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment Preparing for the TCAP Assessment 5 th Grade Now didn’t that just turn out perfectly? All students have the same writing ability. There’s no need to differentiate. If you follow this plan, all of your writing dreams will come true. Comments, anyone?

Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment Preparing for the TCAP Assessment Struggling Writers Refer back to your “thumbs up” card. I consider myself a good writer.

Preparing for the TCAP Writing Assessment Preparing for the TCAP Assessment Struggling Writers Writing framework option Skills-based writing program Writers’ Workshop Lunch and Learn Goal: Score a 4 or more. . .

Treasure Map to a 4

The Future of TCAP Writing Assessment? NAEP National Assessment of Educational Progress Gives states information on the performance of their students compared to students in other states and the nation as a whole

NAEP Writing Assessment Who takes NAEP? v. A sample of students at grades 4, 8, and 12 v. All 50 states represented v. Students selected represent the geographic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of each state’s student body

The Future of TCAP Writing? Possible changes coming down the road: v Writing form: not necessarily a narrative v To persuade v To explain v To convey experience, real or imagined v Student prompt choice v Use of graphics to enhance the prompt

The Future of TCAP Writing? Don’t panic! What this tells us: v Importance of teaching writing as a developmental process v Importance of exposure to variety of texts v Ample opportunity for modeled instruction and individual practice v Importance of feedback

Let’s take a break and come back together to learn all about the mysteries of the state scoring process