Learning Leader PLC Literacy 6-8 TNCORE – October 29, 2014

Progress Recap Learning Leaders attended summer training Learning Leaders delivered initial inservice to teachers in July (POW-TIDE) Students participated in a cold write Learning Leaders held September PLC for scoring cold writes Learning Leaders attended fall training Learning Leaders deliver inservice updates (TREE)

Agenda Reflect on SRSD and writing practice Discuss the importance of peer editing – watch video Guide teachers on instruction for pulling apart a writing prompt Introduce Argumentative Mnemonic (T.R.E.E.) Share strategies for teaching elaboration Discuss Counterclaim stems

Reflection How is SRSD working with your students so far? What progress have you noticed in student writing samples? What are our next steps for teaching writing?

Argumentative Writing The latest Learning Leader series focuses on argumentative writing using a new mnemonic (TREE). The (TIDE) mnemonic should continue being used for informative writing. For our next Bridge to Practice, students will practice with an opinion/argument prompt.

Peer Editing Continue to model and encourage specific feedback. Watch the following clip “Austin’s Butterfly” and plan time to share with your students! Austin's Butterfly

Pulling Apart the Prompt February data shows students struggled writing in response to the prompt. Encourage students to SPEND TIME on the prompt! The prompt often indicates desired format, purpose, and audience.

Pulling Apart the Prompt – DO WHAT? A good strategy for dissecting the prompt is to ask the students to circle every word that indicates something they have to DO. Students can create a T-Chart and list these DO words on the left. On the right, students list WHAT they have to do.

DO – WHAT Prompt Example Situation: Our country is divided in its opinion about the issue of illegal immigrants and whether they should be made to go back to their countries or become US citizens. As US citizens they will pay taxes and receive social benefits. Prompt: You have read two articles and viewed two news clips about illegal immigration to the United States. Think about the issue of illegal immigration. Now write a letter to convince your legislature to accept your opinion. Be sure to support your argument and cite text evidence.

DO – WHAT Prompt Example about the issue of illegal immigration a letter your legislature to accept your opinion your argument text evidence Think Write Convince Support Cite TELLS STUDENTS THE FORMAT! TELLS STUDENTS THE AUDIENCE AND PURPOSE!

*Learning Leader Note See page 157 of your manual for your grade specific SRSD Opinion/Argument TREE Mnemonics.

Sentence Starters for Elaboration Stem statements are available to encourage students to elaborate in their essays. A Writing Boot Camp strategy: Take an exemplar essay and “white out” the elaboration pieces. This brings focus to the importance of elaboration. Students can practice filling in the blanks without having to write an entire essay. Prompt students to elaborate by asking: Why do you care about the quote you chose? Why do we? So what? How does the statement (quote) support your position and thesis?

Next Steps – Fall Bridge to Practice Practice opinion/argument writing with your students! Choose a text that suits your curriculum or choose texts and tasks available on tncore.org website. Develop a solid prompt for the selected texts.

Developing a Prompt A good writing prompt is: Focused on a single guiding question Composed so that the task or invitation to write is clearly visible Scaffolded so that students: understand the connection to the work that precedes it see clearly what is being asked of them find some help in imagining how to begin the writing From the Institute for Learning (IFL)

Developing a Prompt – Resources From TNCORE.org (username: tneducation password: fastestimproving) Click on your grade band Click on module 5

Developing a Prompt - Resources There are a variety of resources available to help you easily build writing prompts: Literacy Design Collaborative The Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC) includes prompt templates that can be used across grade levels and subject areas. Sample curricula, rubrics, and other resources for ELA, sci/ss are also available through the LDC website.

Closing Activity Turn and talk with your content area teachers and discuss good topics for the fall Bridge to Practice assignment. If time allows, build a prompt together.