Write to Learn

While we have already learned many strategies, this web page gives us a 4 step instructional process for teaching these strategies. It also gives a video example how to complete each step.

This is a nice site, Holly. The highlighted steps would make a nice handout for this course -- I can see how it might be helpful to keep it handy as a constant reminder not to rush when implementing new strategies.

This 2007 report highlights 11 effective, research-based elements of current writing instruction. Writing to Learn made the list!

This is an interesting article about an educational program in California using Write To Learn in a very different way, to immerse ESL students in language learning from a very early age.

I love this activity when starting Shakespeare with new students, or one like it. It combines lots of opportunities for W2L strategies, specifically admit and exit slips. It's a great way to get students thinking and writing about Shakespeare's language.

This was originally shared by Ryan. Just reposted by me. :-)

Ryan's original comment: This website contains several writing activities geared toward social studies, but they could be used with a variety of classes. They progress from easier to more difficult. I think some fit well with W2L, others not so much

I defnitely believe that any sort of writing helps with handwriting skills, grammar even, and reading. I know, writing for me, I usually 'talk' differently in my writing than I do actually speaking. I have time to think about what I want to say, can look at it, and make changes if I think it's not right. Wish I could do that in real life! LOL

This article talks about how many schools are putting a lot of focus, time, and energy into improving reading scores and that as a result students ability to write is suffering. Thought it was an interesting read and could relate. I have been at my current school for 4 years and the main focus has been reading with the push to improve reading scores getting bigger each year.

The Magnet Summary is very interesting, as well. We might need to add it as an option for the class!

I think journal writing can be a very useful tool at any age-we do math journals and even though it's mostly done with pictures, those pictures tell me a lot about what they know about the math topic we covered that day.

This was originally shared by Ryan. Just reposted by me. :-)

Ryan's original comment: This article supports W2L and gives some basic examples and suggestions. The one part that really jumped out at me was the last paragraph-W2L is a way to help students practice thinking, which is something I hadn't thought about.

Since I use discussion a lot with my students I thought this was a good idea to refocus. It could be tied in with an exit strategy to find out what students thought the main focus of the discussion really was supposed to be.

Kids can read and write about current, sometimes quirky and interesting events. On the right side there are topics to choose from, like Health. The articles can also be read in Spanish! You can sign up if you want, but you do not need a login to read the articles.

The new Iowa Core standards call for students to write opinion (K-5) and argument (6-12) essays, and I can see that some of these articles might lend themselves to this type of writing. Appendix A of the English Language Arts standards call for us to "teach the issues" so students learn how to analyze and form opinions.

Not only are there 15 tools here, but if you go down to the comments there are additional sites.

This has the student determine the initial "prompt" for writing. The activity calls for students to write about their own prompts, but they could also use this to start a Write Around.

I like this activity because it is so student centered. The part I highlighted could be altered--giving students 3 minutes to write about it and then using it as part of another W2L strategy. I think it would be a great way to start a Write Around or Written Conversation.

This site helps people learn languages or improve on the language knowledge that they already have. I was attracted to this site because of the section on Writing Exercises and tried it out. Here is a summary: WRITING EXERCISES-Practice writing on various themes and prompts and get feedback from native speakers. LEVELS: Beginner (a journey or weather, discuss a trip or language course, write dialog for a telephone conversation); Intermediate (writing an e-mail, postcard and letter, describing people and everyday life) or Advanced (everyday topics and expressing opinions) OTHER COURSES; Level Courses, Spanish for the Holidays, Spanish Around the World, Numbers, Listen and Practice, Spanish Idioms, Express Training, Refresher Course, Themes and Situations, etc.

This site provides examples of W2L strategies, as well as various assessments related to W2L strategies.

This is very interesting. I don't know if I'm doing this right!

This article talks about why teachers other than English teacher may not feel comfortable teaching writing. The article states that many teachers may not feel comfortable teaching writing because they don't feel very strong in their writing ability and don't want to lead students wrong. I would agree that I tend to overuse commas and my spelling could use some work, but that is why I like the W2L strategies because that isn't the primary focus

There are lots of strategies developed here that can be used in reading classes and in content subjects. It looks elementary, but there are useful items for many levels. The site offers questioning techniques that fit right into Bloom's Taxonomy and our W2L strategies.

This was actually shared first by Barb. I was demonstrating the program, and used her example...now it says I shared it. However, it did come from Barb. Thanks, Barb!

Quick formative assessment ideas; some can be Write to Learn strategies

The Index Card Summaries/Questions would make a nice Exit Slip. If used often, the students would become more metacognitive and able to articulate their thinking.

You cannot choose "classroom" without an account. You can only do 1 private storm at a time.