The PEA Strategy

A Writing Framework for the Secondary Social

Studies Classroom

Adapting the strategy to fit student needs?

O Generative questions:O How can I get students to write

more?O How can I get students to use more

analysis in their writing?O How can I improve student

organization?O How can I improve the clarity of

student writing?

Guiding principles – students’ needs

O Students will need…O to write with a purpose in mind.O a defined process for writing.O a framework for complete writing.

How do we get from here to there?

Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD)

• Explicit instruction of a strategy for a particular writing purpose that breaks down a larger writing task into concrete, manageable parts.

• Use of mnemonics to support memory retention of the strategy parts.

• Field-tested within an RTI framework• Whole group • Small group and one-to-one

(Graham & Harris, 2003; Mason et al., 2011)

Research Support for SRSDO Over 40 studies using the SRSD model of

instruction have been reported (elementary through high school)

O Significant findings in four main aspects of student performance:O Quality of writingO Knowledge of writingO Approach to writingO Self-efficacy

O Meaningful and sustained improvements found with a variety of students including students in content areas as well as with students with learning and/or emotional/behavior difficulties

(Graham & Perin, 2006)

Key Components of SRSD Instruction

• Gradual Release of Responsibility Model (GRRM)• Stage 1: Discuss it (mnemonic parts)• Stage 2: Model it (think-alouds; using

examples of exemplar work)• Stage 3: Memorize it (reviewing the

mnemonic)• Stage 4: Support it (use scaffolding; critical

and longest stage)• Stage 5: Independent performance (goal:

“covert” self-instruction) Graham and Harris (2003)

Result: An Adaptation of SRSD

OThe PEA strategy:OPoint OEvidenceOAnalysis

How did I embed the Key Components of

SRSD into the “PEA” Strategy

Writing Intervention?

Journals, Content, Writing

Let’s Try it…O Using the highlighting strategy we

are going to practice “Points” practice O PEA strategy in practice

Thank you!O Contact Information:

O Chris Sielaff, Binghamton High SchoolO sielaffc@binghamtonschools.org

O Erin Washburn, Binghamton UniversityO washburn@binghamton.edu