On Tuesdays, the writing community at Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life. Everyone is welcome to join in by writing, commenting, or just reading slices from around the world!
If you don't already use the Teacher's College Writing Checklists with pictures that can be found in the most recent version of Writing Pathways by Lucy Calkins, I highly recommend them.
These checklists break the skills and expectations of the Common Core into discrete skills across all three genres of writing. The checklists use student-friendly language and pictures that make the expectations clear and attainable to students.
These checklists break the skills and expectations of the Common Core into discrete skills across all three genres of writing. The checklists use student-friendly language and pictures that make the expectations clear and attainable to students.
I have used these checklists in many different ways in my work with teachers and with students. I have made them into checklists, I have seen teachers enlarge them into anchor charts, I have given them to students as tools for independence and repertoire, I have used them to differentiate the curriculum for students who struggle, as well as for students who exceed expectations... Yesterday, I used them in a fourth-grade classroom for an inquiry lesson. Except for two students who are new to the district, all of the students in the classroom were familiar with the checklists from using them in third grade--how great is that?!?! So, I handed out the fourth grade checklists for narrative writing, put the third-grade checklists on the overhead projector, and challenged the students to work in groups to figure out the different expectations we'd have of their writing and the different goals they should set. The students used highlighters and sticky notes.
Then, together we created a chart of the increasing expectations.
I was sure to write down the contributing groups on the chart. That way students have more ownership of the informations that's on the chart. Also, (and they may not realize it yet) they have more accountability for what's on that paper!
All in all, the students did a fantastic job in about twelve minutes of recognizing that in fourth grade, a lot more is expected of them in terms of development and elaboration when it comes to narrative writing. They are excited to try out some drafts, incorporating the higher expectations of fourth grade. This is an activity that would work with any grade and any genre, as long as you have similar checklists and a continuum of writing skills.
Happy Writing!
Then, together we created a chart of the increasing expectations.
All in all, the students did a fantastic job in about twelve minutes of recognizing that in fourth grade, a lot more is expected of them in terms of development and elaboration when it comes to narrative writing. They are excited to try out some drafts, incorporating the higher expectations of fourth grade. This is an activity that would work with any grade and any genre, as long as you have similar checklists and a continuum of writing skills.
Happy Writing!
Whoa! Melanie, this would be a great lesson for teachers as well. To be able to break down how each piece grows to the next shows kids how these powerful checklists work. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteLove this! What a great way for students to see how they should grow during the year. Thanks for sharing this bit of powerful learning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful idea, and as you say, it didn't take much time for everyone to see and consider the differences. Glad you shared, Melanie.
ReplyDeleteThis kind of learning really sticks - what a gift for students and teachers alike.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really smart way to use the checklists, Melanie! I'll be sharing this post with teachers this year as we work in year two of our implementation of the UoS.
ReplyDeleteI'm using the checklist with 3rd graders who haven't ever seen it before. Works so well even with novice! I'll tuck your lesson idea for next year if I loop with my friends!! Thanks for sharing your great work!
ReplyDeleteI'm using the checklist with 3rd graders who haven't ever seen it before. Works so well even with novice! I'll tuck your lesson idea for next year if I loop with my friends!! Thanks for sharing your great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melanie, for sharing how students can take ownership of the checklists in 12 short minutes. And it is ALL about the students understanding the targets! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how powerful creating an anchor chart is for students. They have ownership of their own learning. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how powerful creating an anchor chart is for students. They have ownership of their own learning. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe love these checklists too! Such a powerful tool especially when you scaffold them as you did. Thanks for sharing how you use them.
ReplyDeleteClare and Tammy