Critical Writing
from the Fundamental Five
Review
Purposeful and intentional writing
Plan the writing prompts or stems during the planning process
Content writing based on objectives (SE’s)
Should occur in content area
The writing solidifies the learning for students
General Practices
Notetaking
What did you already know about this material?
What is new to you?
Does anything contradict what you already knew?
Does anything expand or provide more evidence for what you already knew?
What don’t you understand?
What support does the speaker or writer give for his or her facts?
What patterns of reasoning does the speaker or writer offer as evidence?
Have you encountered reasoning like this before? If so, where? Are these patterns typical of the discipline as a whole?
Minute Paper
Short, written responses from students at the end of class in response to one or two questions, such as:
- "What was the most important thing you learned during this class?"
- "What important question remains unanswered for you?"
The Muddiest Point
Students write down the most confusing or least clear part of what they just heard or saw. Teacher collects responses which provides immediate feedback on student understanding of presented material.
The Muddiest Point involves asking students to write down the most confusing or least clear part of what they just heard (lecture) or saw (video). These responses are collected by the teacher and provide immediate feedback on student understanding of presented material.
Pros and Cons Grid
Students search for at least two sides to the issue in question Works well in:
- Social Studies
- Language Arts
The values are being examined
This exercise forces students to go beyond their initial reactions and to search for at least two sides to the issue in question. They cannot used first 2 responses; think deeper
Reflective Journals
- extensively several times a week,
- summarizing what they learned
- raising issues and problems.
Don't Break the Bank
An administrator has asked you to explain the educational benefits of critical writing. Compose a response to their inquiry.
Each word you write will cost .10¢
You must spend between $2.70 and $3.00.
Science
Science
Science
Research Paper
Incorporating Physical Education
Writing from the Common Core
Content examples
Cue Questions
Blooms Questioning
Closing Activity
List the strategies that you will implement in your classroom.
Which strategy do you think will be the hardest to implement? Why?
Which strategy do you think will be the easiest to implement? Why?