Week 7: Chapter 10

This week we are moving on to the Speaking and Listening and Language Standards.I have two options for you this week. Please only respond to one AND indicate in your response which one you are addressing.

PROMPT:

1. The standards call for a shift in the role of listening and viewing media that closely aligns with the active analytic work students are asked to do in the reading standards. What approaches for integrating “multiple sources of information” (such as digital media) do you already use or wish to integrate?

OR

2. “The language standards are written to suggest that language work should not be taught in isolation.  Rather, language work should be interwoven across the day so that conventions, vocabulary, and craft moves become a seamless part of the reading, writing, speaking and listening already underway  in your classroom.” How can the language standards, which include grammar and conventions, be taught through authentic writing?  What specific steps can you take to integrate these more clearly?

Your response to the prompt is due by Monday evening, March 3.Then, respond to at least one of your fellow participant’s comments by Thursday, March 6.

Don’t forget to read chapter 11 in anticipation of next week’s prompt.

Week 6: Chapters 8 & 9

Thanks for your comments on Chapters 6 and 7 everyone!

After reading Chapters 8 and 9, you now have an in-depth look at the three types of writing described in the writing standards (narrative, persuasive/argumentative, and informational). As noted, the standards are written to mirror the same learning progressions within each text type. Given that everyone may not already teach all three types, this a nice feature, allowing teachers to use similar strategies across the three types.

PROMPT:

What should we expect to see in our students’ independent writing samples for:

• opinion/argument  text (writing)
• informational text (writing)

How is this different from previous standards?  

Your response to the prompt is due by Monday evening February 24. Then, you are expected to revisit this site and respond to at least one of your fellow participant’s comments by Thursday, February 27.

Don’t forget to read chapter 10 in anticipation of next week’s prompt.

Week 5: Chapters 6 & 7

We’re halfway there! Chapter 6 provides an overview of the writing standards much like Chapter 2 did for reading. Chapter 7 launches into a discussion of narrative writing. In order to get you into the writing standards, this week we’re going to look closely at the grade-level standards for narrative writing.

PROMPT:
Compare the book’s suggestions for using the continuum of narrative writing to your own method of writing instruction.  Discuss similarities and differences between what is outlined on pages 123 and 124 to what you do currently. What change(s) will you make to your instruction?  

Your response to the prompt is due by Monday evening, February 10. Then, you are expected to revisit this site and respond to at least one of your fellow participant’s comments by Thursday, February 13. If you need help posting your comment, watch this video.

Don’t forget to read chapters 8 and 9  in anticipation of next week’s prompt.