Adolescent Writing Instruction DAY TWO Writing Your Way to Wisdom Carrie Wozniak Lisa Guzzardo Asaro

Day Two Agenda Welcome/Feedback Museum Walk MEAP Writing MME Writing Blogging and Online Portfolios Closure

MEAP Web Resources Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) assesses students in grades 3-9 based on Michigan Curriculum Framework. MEAP Home Page MEAP Home Page Resources: Oakland ISD - MEAP Genre Study Program MDE - Released Items MEAP Social Studies Information Oakland ISD - MEAP Genre Study Program MDE - Released Items MEAP Social Studies Information

The Michigan State Board of Education recently approved changing the MEAP Writing assessment from an annual assessment in grades 3-8 to testing in grades 4 and 7 only. Field testing of the new assessment was conducted in Fall 2009 and became operational in Fall The BIG GAME MEAP Module 5 – Middle School State Testing

MEAP The new MEAP Writing assessment is a longer, more comprehensive writing assessment that measures a broader range of writing grade-level content standards, thereby improving the reliability of the assessment.

4 MEAP Changes are Instituted in Fall of 2009 A Writing Assessment Advisory Committee was convened to discuss the test design. The Committee recommended the following, to be implemented starting in Fall 2009:

Limit the options to two narrative suggestions Keep the statement that allows the student to write about the theme “in their own way,” in case the first two options do not appeal to the student Add some feature-based scoring component (essentially transforming Comment Codes into points) 1. KEEP “Writing from Knowledge and Experience” with the 6-point rubric (W.PR.03.01or W.PR.06.01)

2. Revising and Editing Increase the “Revising and Editing the Student Writing Sample” multiple-choice items from 13 to16 to increase reliability and to assess more GLCEs.

Ask students in grades 4 and 7 the same question. “What could the writer do to improve this sample?” (Since the samples vary, the responses will differ. The highest points will be awarded for specific suggestions about how to improve the sample compared to a formulaic response.) Add a feature-based scoring component 3. KEEP the “Peer Response to the Student Writing Sample” with the 4-point rubric (PR or PR.06.03)

Grade 4 students write a comparison piece Grade 7 students write a cause/effect piece Add a feature-based scoring component 4. Add an informational writing constructed response that focuses on organizational text structures with a 5-point rubric (W.GN or W.GN.06.03)

The Power of Language Activity Notebook Tab Module 5 American Rhetoric (2 text Versions)

The Other BIG GAME MME Module 5 – High School State Testing The Role of Persuasive Writing

The GREAT DEBATE Module 5 Each participant will have a debate partner (DO NOT DISCLOSE) PRO and CON Writers The DEBATE will be blogged on your blog site

The ACT Writing Test Prompt Format The Writing Test consists of one writing prompt that briefly states an issue and describes two points of view on that issue. Students are asked to write in response to a question about their position on the issue described in the writing prompt. In doing so, students may adopt one or the other of the perspectives described in the prompt, or they may present a different point of view on the issue.

Scoring the Writing Test Two trained readers Rating from 1(low) to 6 (high) Sum of those ratings is a student’s Writing Test sub score A difference of more than one point – evaluated by a third scorer. Note*** After training all readers are required to pass a qualifying test rating selected essays.***

ACT Writing Students’ essay scores are not affected by the point of view they take on the issue. Prompts are designed to be appropriate for response in a 30-minute timed test and to reflect students’ interests and experiences.

Combined English/Writing Scale Score

How can we help our students improve? Model how to analyze the prompt

ACT Writing Prompts: Deconstructing the Prompt Critical Attributes of ACT Writing Prompt – Issue – Two Positions – Question

Critical Attributes of ACT Writing Prompt Issue – Dress code Two Positions – Support a dress code – Do not support a dress code Question – In your opinion, should high schools adopt a dress code for students?

Your Turn… Using the Sample ACT Essay Prompt assess the critical attributes of the following prompt. Some cities have ordinances that limit the number of pets a city resident can own. Often, the maximum number of pets allowed is limited to three or four. Some people support the limit because they feel it protects them against having a neighborhood overrun with animals that could potentially become a public nuisance. Other people oppose the limit because they feel it infringes upon their rights as private citizens. In your opinion, should city governments be allowed to limit the number of pets a resident can own? Notebook Anchor Paper Activities

Let’s Deconstruct the Prompt Notebook Anchor Paper Activities

Activity On a 3x5 card, write down the critical attributes. – Issue – 2 Positions (with support for each) – Question

Visible Thinking Activity Circle of Viewpoints – Harvard University – iles/03_ThinkingRoutines/03e_FairnessRoutines/C ircleViewpoints/CircleViewpoints_Routine.html iles/03_ThinkingRoutines/03e_FairnessRoutines/C ircleViewpoints/CircleViewpoints_Routine.html

Various Viewpoints Conservative Parent Teacher Student who loves the internet School Board Member Principal Student who does not own a computer

Activity Directions

Follow-up Suggestions

Great Resource

Let’s take a Look ACT Rubrics Notebook Anchor Paper Activities

Persuasive Writing Rubrics ACT 6 Point Analytic Rubric – – Used with Students in the Classroom ACT 6 Point Holistic Rubric – Used by ACT scorers

ACT 6 Point Holistic Rubric

Scoring The Persuasive Essay Holistic vs. Analytic Rubric

Understand the Rubric What are the differences between a 4 and a 5? What are the differences between a 3 and a 4?

Scoring Rubric 5 and 4

Scoring 4 and 3

Sample Scoring Looking at the Whole Holistic Scoring Looking at the Parts Analytic Scoring DO NOT AVERAGE THE SCORES

Scoring Anchor Sets ACT – Persuasive Writing Rubric – Step 1: Review Prompt/Critical Attributes – Step 2: Read paper, looking for the Critical Attributes of a 3 to 4 Paper – Step 3: Check off for the Big 4 – (Position, Complexity, Organization, and Language) – Step 4: Give it a Holistic Score

Discussion After reading and scoring the anchor set, discuss with a partner the reasoning for your scores.

Scored Anchor Sets and Explanations With your partner, review the scoring explanation for the anchor sets. – Notice the range of anchor papers (Scores 1-6) – Notice the comments/reasons

Persuasive Essay IPOD Graphic Organizer My Position: Opposing Position: Reason 3: Reason 2: Reason 1: Counter Argume nt

Additional Graphic Organizers (2) Introduction – Position – Support – Counter-Argument Body – Development of ideas Conclusion

Technology Weighs In Technology advances instruction and learning for teachers and students in the area of writing.

Learning Express Library

Blogging Blogging for Educators: – Options for Instructors using blogs. – Options for students using blogging in classrooms. – Positive Features of Classroom Blog Use

Setting Up a Student Site What to and Not to Do Your Index Page Setting Up Student Pages What You Should not Post – Name – Phone Number – Copy Write Images Restrictions

Teacher Sample teacher-edublog-2010/ teacher-edublog-2010/

Create Your Blog Using Weebly - Notebook Module Eight

Web Presence The electronic portfolio, already a well-established tool in higher education is beginning to appear in K-12 classrooms as well. The use of personal portfolios for assessment and presentation long has been a component of higher education. In fact, personal portfolios are a graduation requirement at many colleges and universities. Now, electronic portfolios have begun to enter the world of K-12 education as well.

On-Line Portfolios and Web Presence You can keep it private or share parts of it with students, colleagues, and parents.

Weebly

Time to Explore and Create