Download - Solutions for Common Core Writing Success
Solutions for Common Core
Writing Success
www.WriteStepsWriting.com
Suzanne Klein
“We must improve the quality of our students’
writing if they are to succeed in college
and in life.”
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“Both blue-collar workers (80%) and white-collar workers (93%) say writing is important to success in their careers.”
~The National Writing Project
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Suzanne Klein Writing Coach,K-5 Teacher, National Presenter, National Writing Project Fellow, Writing Coach, and Founder & CEO of WriteSteps
“Often, the evidence of success is slow in coming
or impossible to see. Therefore, much good work must be
done by faith and by faith alone.”
~Lorraine Monroe, American educator and reformerwww.WriteStepsWriting.com
The Common Core Standards and Change
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Technology isn’t the only thing that is changing
The 7 Keys to Successful Common Core Writing in Your
Building
1. Common Core Readiness
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2. Instruction
3. Classroom Management
4. Writing Across the Curriculum
5. Responsibilities of Administration
6. Teacher Training
7. Home/School Connection
Purpose & Objectives1. Keys 2. Problems
Common CoreReadiness
Instruction
Knowledge
Time
Materials
3. Tools
H, M, L
1st Key: Common Core Readiness
Tool #1: Cool AppsOur teachers have copies of the Common Core writing
standards.
In the iTunes app store: http://bit.ly/iWZSds
In the Google play store: http://bit.ly/UWkSVp
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1st Key: Common Core Readiness
Our school is 100% compliant with the Common Core Writing Standards.
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1st Key: Common Core Readiness
Have you seen the prototype questions being developed for Common Core writing?
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1St Key: Common Core Instruction
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30%opinion
35% narrative
35%informative
1St Key: Common Core Instruction
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Writing instruction belongs in the hands of all disciplines.
The standards emphasize Writing Across the Curriculum
Much explanatory and informational writing will occur in the context of science, social studies, and reading.
“Students need broad-based experiences in which reading and writing tasks are integrated with their
work throughout the curriculum.”
--Langer and Applebee
2nd Key: Instruction
“Simply put, in the whole range of academic course work, American children do not write frequently enough, and the
reading and writing tasks they are given do not require them to think deeply enough.”
~Langer and Applebee (1978)
In one recent study in grades one, three, and five, only 15 percent of the school day was spent in any kind of writing
activity. Two-thirds of the writing that did occur was word-for-word copying in workbooks.
~National Writing Project (2003)www.WriteStepsWriting.com
2nd Key: Instruction
Obstacles
Principal = Remover of Obstacles
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2nd Key: Instruction
Knowledge
“Every district should require each teacher to successfully complete a course in writing theory and practice as a
condition for teacher licensing.”
~ The National Commission on Writing
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Americans want to see teacher-training programs include courses on teaching writing (79% “good idea”)
and professional development for current teachers (75% “good idea”).
-From the National Commission on Writing, 2010
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2nd Key: Instruction
Knowledge
Teachers learn best from each other.
TeacherStar celebrates excellence in teaching by sharing videos of best practices.
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2nd Key: Instruction
Strategy #2: My Glows & Grows
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2nd Key: Instruction
Glows & Grows
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Step 1: Pass out packet & go over directions
Step 2: Recruit someone to compile the Glows & Grows
Step 3: Glow Sharing
8:30-8:40 Glow teacher David is sharing to a group of Grows
8:45-8:55 Grow teacher David now listens to a Glow teacher
2nd Key: Instruction
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“I don’t have time to teach writing!”
15% of the school day was spent in writing activities of any kind. 2/3 of that writing was word-for-word copying in workbooks.
Time
Mantra: I do what is best for our children. Period.
2nd Key: Instruction
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Time If it is importantto you, you will
find a way.If not, you’ll find
an excuse.
2nd Key: Instruction
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“I don’t have time” often means “I don’t know how.”
=I lack confidence
I don’t see myself as a writer
I don’t have a consistent routine for writing
2nd Key: Instruction
Time
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How much time is enough?
Grades K-1: At least 3 days a week for 45 minutes or longerGrades 2-5: At least 4 days a week for 45 minutes or longer
90-minute ELA Block
ELA =• reading
• spelling• gramma
r• writing
Minimum
2nd Key: Instruction
How Many
Hours?
Strategy: Crunch the Numbers
3 R’s• Reading• Writing• Arithmet
ic
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2nd Key: Instruction
Drop Ins
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Strategy: Random Drop-Ins
Visit 2 classrooms per day
Go when teachers have planned to teach writing
Are they following through with plans?
2nd Key: Instruction
How Often?
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Strategy: Frequency Checks
2nd Key: Instruction
High, Medium, and Low samples
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H, M, L
2nd Key: Instruction
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Materials
Lack of materials or lack of quality materials = low achievement
2nd Key: Instruction
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Strategy: Real Common Core Materials
"Here's what's happening right now in textbook land…
They're not changing anything in the curriculum.They are simply relabeling.”
~Comment on Common Core publishing from Beverlee Jobrack, 25-year editorial director for
one of the largest educational publishing companies in the business.________________________________________________________
Materials
2nd Key: Instruction
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Strategy: Real Common Core Materials
Materials
Article in e-newsletter
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Confidence + Accountability = Success
Thank you for joining me…
Suzanne Klein, Common Core Writing
SpecialistSuzanne@WriteStepsWriting.
com 734-834-4889
Contact me for a FREE 20 minute Awareness Session during a staff meeting.