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WAC Activities for Grades 3-5
Quick Writes
These are short pieces of writing designed to focus students’ thinking. Teachers can use quick writes to:
- assess prior knowledge before instruction in order to set the stage for new information (ex. create a list of keywords, a list of
questions, 3 things I know/don’t know)
- give students time to write briefly on the day’s topic before contributing to class discussions.
- pause in the middle of instruction to check for understanding, or to make connections and predictions. (ex. paraphrase, ask a question, write a definition)
- summarize main points, form opinions, or reflect on what
was learned after instruction. (ex. 3 things I learned, 2 things I
wonder about, 1thing I could teach someone else)
- Evaluation tips:
- First, model “incomplete”, “adequate”, and “excellent” responses (check minus, check, check plus). Look for content, quantity, appropriateness, elaboration, etc.
- Assess as complete/incomplete, correct/incorrect, or trade for peer
review.
- Evaluate content only, never for grammar.
Journals or Learning Logs
Journals and logs give students an informal place to explore and interact with class content. Students can:
- summarize newly acquired knowledge.
- write vocabulary terms in their own words.
- write what was most interesting or confusing.
- create a list of questions or possible topics for future research.
- explain math or science problems or terms in writing.
- make connections between new info and prior knowledge.
- Evaluation tips:
- Define grading requirements. Well-kept journals could be a boost to the final grade or could be given a test grade status.
- Choose only one part to grade at a time.
- Use notebooks or loose leaf binders to hold work.
- Respond to entries; highlight insights; comment in margins.
- Self-assessments
- allow students to reflect upon their own
learning and teachers to check for understanding. Students may be
asked:
- What was the most difficult part of this assignment? Why?
- What part are you most satisfied with?
- What will this project show me that you have learned?
- Evaluation tips:
- Model "poor", "adequate", and "excellent" responses (check minus, check, check plus). Look for content, quantity, appropriateness, elaboration, etc.
- Assess as done/not done or correct/not correct.
- Evaluate content only, never for grammar.
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