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Provide Specific Writing Examples/Models

Tags

ELA: Writing All Ages Strategy

Skills

Flexible Thinking Verbal Reasoning

Provide Specific Writing Examples/Models

If your student doesn't have a good appreciation of your expectations

Teach It!

  1. Objective: By reading through quality examples of specific genres of writing, students will understand, and begin to incorporate into their own writing, the structure, sequence and format that is expected in the given genre.
  2. Direct Instruction: a) Select writing examples with relatable and interesting topics. The more interesting to the student, the more likely they are to internalize the purpose, structure and features of what is expected in that type of writing. b) Use examples that include specific vocabulary or types of phrases (sequencing, headings, figures of speech, etc.) they might use in their writing for the particular assignment so they can see the correct application. c) For students who need more scaffolding, highlight the specific words or phrases from the model to include in their own writing piece. For example, give the student "must use" words such as: first, also, another reason, in summary. d) Consider providing a contrast example of writing so students can see the similarities and differences in the different types. For example, you might show students an opinion piece versus a research piece and highlight the different words that signify opinion from fact.
  3. Teachers Notes: Remind students the sample is to help them learn how to structure or present their thoughts, but WHAT they present should be their own thoughts, opinions and arguments. You might want to highlight or point out specific lines in the text to avoid any confusion.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Providing samples of good writing is proven to be the most effective way to help students visualize how to structure, sequence and use details in a given genre or format. While past teaching has depended on immersing students in writing to learn, new research shows that providing deliberate practice is the best way to reach all learners.

Best-suited for students with weaker: Attention, Self-Regulation, Long-term Memory, Metacognition, Working Memory (Source: Digital Promise Learner Variability Project)