Writing to Learn Writing to Learn Defined Writing

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 • Formal academic writing (formal essays, research papers, 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 • Less formal and used to stimulate thought, generate ideas and connections, keep students engaged and thinking during class, and/or give us information about our students • Journals, exit tickets, • Formative tool, usually not graded

3 -2 -1 Text Protocol • Read Writing for Learning, by Peter Elbow • After reading, individually record: q q q 3 things you found interesting 2 “I wonders” 1 action step for implementing low-stakes writing in your classroom • Share with partner, small group, whole group

Group Brainstorm • As a whole group, list examples of highstakes and low-stakes writing activities on chart paper. • Leave chart paper posted for afternoon session.

School Expectations for Writing to Learn