Where Do You Find Released Writing Prompts? Are you looking for a fabulous collection of released writing prompts from state writing assessments? Would 114 PAGES of these released writing prompts be enough? If so, you have landed on the right page! Below you will find the finest collection of released writing prompts available. Nearly all [...]
Tips and Tricks for State Testing Writing Prompts Most writing prompts across all of the 50 states look very much alike. They have a similar structure, they use similar language, and they involve similar situations. While it’s true that writing prompts do change across grade levels, it’s also true that fourth grade writing prompts looks [...]
Spring… testing… just around the corner. I feel a chill. We practiced some writing from time-to-time throughout the school year… actually… I guess it was really just grammar. Are the kids ready? Hey wait; winters gone, it’s spring. Time for a new beginning… YES… SPRING IS A TIME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS! Before year’s end, my [...]
Transform your child into a truly confident author using “Pattern Based Writing: Quick and Easy Essay! Should you help your child with writing? YES. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) suggests that you help your child with writing. OERI believes you, a parent, can make a big difference. You can use helping strategies [...]
What is the goal of your writing instruction? • Is your instruction geared to helping your students become the next great American novelist? • Is your primary goal to make sure that your students never leave a dangling participle or split an infinitive? • Do you hope to develop a passion for writing? • Is your goal to help [...]
Gifted and Talented (G.A.T.E.) Students Do the MATH before they do the WRITING I once taught a 5th grade G.A.T.E. class at a very affluent school for the final two months of the school year. It was my off-track vacation time and their teacher could not finish the year. I had never seen students like [...]
Here are sentiments against teaching the five-paragraph essay. (Whew… these people were hot under their collar!) • In High School, I was “taught” to write five-paragraph essays (and when I say “taught,” I mean “forced.”) The five-paragraph essay was the only form allowed in Sophomore English class. • I hope it’s not taught anymore. • -my daughter hated [...]
Two Kinds of Writing Assignments for Student Essays and Reports 1. The topic has not been assigned. Students choose the topic. 2. The topic has been assigned. Students must follow the directions and stay on topic. Teachers must find the right balance between these two methods when giving assignments. These ideas will help when you do [...]
Paragraphs have unity and coherence. A paragraph has a single minded focus. There must be no information in the paragraph which does not serve that purpose. We call these “good paragraphs.” The best of the best are known as “perfect paragraphs.” But not all paragraphs are good… let alone perfect. In fact, it doesn’t take [...]
Controversy in the World of Writer’s Workshop Teaching writing… in the world of teaching… is “controversial.” So few teachers really feel they know how to teach “writing” well. Everyone feels they teach “grammar” just fine, but writing… This feeling of uncertainty creates defensiveness and high emotions. But even in the world of teaching writing… just [...]