1

Session 1Session 1

Conclusions

Content by Loretta Comfort. Graphics and layout by Michelle Sekulich, Curriculum and Assessment

2

PurposePurpose

To help students develop more effective conclusions for any piece of writing

3

What do you think?What do you think?

On the index card provided, write your expectations for writing conclusions for the grade level you teach.

4

Share ResponsesShare Responses

Partner with a colleague who teaches the same grade level. Take a minute to discuss your responses.

5

Share with the whole groupShare with the whole group

In chronological order, have one person share the expectations for writing a conclusion, starting with kindergarten and progressing through fifth grade.

6

Compare…Compare…

…your expectations with the writing GLEs on the next slide.

7

Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2

Kindergarten

• Organizes ideas on one topic orally

• Writes a story in pictures and words following a pattern from literature

8

Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2

• Grades 1 & 2– Organizes multiple sentences on one topic, showing beginning, middle, and ending

• Writes to show organization of a mentor text

(Grade 1)

• Organizes writing sequentially (Grade 2)

9

Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2

Grade 3

• Organizes writing with a beginning, middle and end

• Writes a variety of endings (e.g., ends with something new to think about or a cliffhanger)

10

Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2

Grade 4

• Organizes writing using a logical organizational structure

• Constructs a recognizable conclusion

11

Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2Alignment with GLEs-Writing 3.1.2

Grade 5

• Develops an effective ending that goes beyond a repetition of the introduction (e.g., summary, prediction).

• Varies leads and endings in narrative writing.

12

Turn to a person near you…Turn to a person near you…

Do you think the GLEs for conclusions are realistic?

Are they more basic than your expectations for your grade level?

Are they beyond your expectations for your grade level?

13

Conclusions and the WASLConclusions and the WASL

The best conclusions are directly related to high scores on the Content, Organization and Style portion of the WASL. The best writing has effective conclusions that do more than repeat what was previously written.

14

Conclusions and the WASLConclusions and the WASL

Conclusions reinforce the response’s wholeness and completeness.

15

Purpose of the Conclusion or EndingPurpose of the Conclusion or Ending

• Remind the reader of the main idea

• Summarize the main points

• Tie up the loose ends

• Keep your reader thinking about the topic

16

StrategiesStrategies

There are numerous strategies to choose.

Focus on one or two of the following techniques at the primary level and add more strategies as students become more proficient.

17

Conclusion StrategiesConclusion Strategies

– An echo from the beginning of the piece

– Quotation or dialogue

– A prediction

– An interesting fact

– A story or anecdote

18

Additional Conclusion StrategiesAdditional Conclusion Strategies

– Question

– Call to action

– Generalization

– Mystery

– Hint of things to come

– Summary

19

Remember…Remember…

…each strategy by associating it with the visual next to it.

20

ECHOECHO

Hello…hello…hello…hello

Hello…hello…hello…hello

21

QUOTATION OR DIALOGUEQUOTATION OR DIALOGUE

22

STORY OR ANECDOTESTORY OR ANECDOTE

23

INTERESTING FACTINTERESTING FACT

As I was saying…

24

PREDICTIONPREDICTION

25

MYSTERY OR HINT OF THINGS TO COMEMYSTERY OR HINT OF THINGS TO COME

26

SUMMARYSUMMARY

+ E

27

CALL TO ACTIONCALL TO ACTION

28

GENERALIZATIONGENERALIZATION

In essence, all teachers are

brilliant!

29

QUESTIONQUESTION

30

End of Session 1End of Session 1

Don’t forget to bring students’ work for Session 2