1. Writing is Essential: Overview for Student Success Presented by Angela McClary-Rush WCSD, ELA Coordinator

2. PASS writing (grades 3-8) March 2010  Day 1 – Extended-Response  Writing answer document contains 15 pt. writing rubric Time to Write directions Two lined pages for final draft

3. The Time to Write topic will be printed here. GENERAL DIRECTIONS ● Read the topic carefully before you begin to write. ● Use separate, lined scratch paper for your pre-writing (such as graphic organizer, list, or outline) and rough draft. Only your final draft will be scored. ● Do not write a poem or song. If you do, it will not be scored. ● Use a dictionary or thesaurus as needed. ● Use the Writing Checklist to make sure you include the elements of good writing. ● Use the scoring rubric provided to review and revise your rough draft. ● Write your final draft on the lined pages marked “Final Draft” at the top. ● Do NOT write beyond the lines or in the margins. WRITING CHECKLIST Does your writing  present a clear central idea about the topic?  develop the central idea with specific details?  sustain focus on the central idea?  have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?  provide a smooth progression of ideas?  use precise and vivid vocabulary appropriate for the topic?  use effective phrasing and a variety of sentence structures?  show awareness of the audience and use an appropriate tone?  show strong command of grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling? Remember to reread your final draft!

4. Writing Rubric  Rubric

5. Day 2 - March 11  Multiple-Choice items based on - editing passages and stand alones - 36 items total 25 items will count (See blueprint) Others are vertical linkers and field test items

6.  Transparency is the key; the students need to know and see what is expected of them.

7. Writing Blueprint The PASS writing tests measure the 2008 South Carolina Academic Standards for English Language Arts in writing for grades three through eight. Each grade level will have one extended-response item and 25 multiple-choice items which assess the writing domains of content and development, organization, voice, and conventions. The table indicates the range of points and items for the four domains. Domain ER (pts)MC (pts) Content/Development1-4 5-8 Organization 1-4 5-8 Voice 1-3 5-8 Conventions 1-4 5-8  The extended-response item is scored using the 15 point rubric. The score will be weighted x 2.

8. Create the test and then teach to meet student success...  Review your writing standards  Get a “true” understanding of what is being asked of the students  Immerse students in good writing samples; demonstrate good writing for them; allow them to model good writing often  Students need a lot of practice in editing and revising; this can be their daily warm-up  Students must be told that they are to use Standard American English in writing and speaking at school  We are the working models for our students; they model after us so we must remain mindful of our grammar

9. Modeling SSentence structures PParagraphs EEssays (varying types) EEnsure that students are using these structures within the writing assignments that you give them WWrite along with the students; walk and monitor student progress—sit with them and tell them how to make it “right” as they write.

10.  Examining some possible samples of types of questions for each domain - content and development - organization - voice - conventions

11. Content and Development ( possible sample questions)  Which sentence would make the best supporting detail?  Which topic sentence would be best to begin the second paragraph?  Which sentence shifts focus by adding an irrelevant detail?

12. Organization ( possible sample questions)  Which transitional word would best introduce sentence 24?  What would be the best way to begin sentence 20?  Which sentence interrupts the logical progression of ideas?

13. Voice ( possible sample questions)  What would be a more precise word to replace ________?  Which revision of the sentence is the most vivid?  What is the best way to combine sentences 7 and 8?

14. Conventions ( possible sample questions)  Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?  Which sentence is punctuated correctly?  What is the correct way to combine sentences 15 and 16?  What correction should be made to sentence 21?

15. Conventions matrix  Should always be used to accurately score the conventions domain - circle errors - check grade level indicator first (ex. Grade 4= subject-verb agreement ex. Grade 6= semicolon) - always check grades below *******

16. Writing Scoring  You must grade each essay; you must let the students know the skills that they are mastering as well as the ones that they need to improve upon in their writing  Students must be allowed to edit and revise every essay assigned for a higher grade  Every student is a successful writer!  They can only become better by practicing, practicing, practicing.

17. ELA Scoring Let us look at a way to transfer the 15 point rubric score into a grade. 14-15=93-100 11-13=85-92 9-10=77-84 7-8=70-76 Under 7=60

18. Research – Possible Item Types  Use print resources to access information (Grades 3-8) ~Which would be the best source to use to access information about …? A. a book titled…C. a newspaper article B. a Web site titled…D. an encyclopedia entry ~Dictionary entry – Which definition of the word … is used in the text?

19. Use the Internet as a source of information (Grades 3-5) ~Which would be the best search words to use to find… on the Internet? ~Which Web site would provide the most information about …?

20.  Organize information by classifying or sequencing (Grades 3-5)  Use appropriate organizational strategies (Grades 6-8) ~The boxes below are in the order of events in the story. Which event belongs in Box 3? ~Study the chart. Which phrase best completes the chart? ~The information in paragraph 1 best fits under which category?

21.  Clarify and refine a research topic (Grades 4-8) ~A student is writing a report about … Which question would lead to the most information for the paper? ~Which topic should you research to learn more about …?

22.  Clarify and refine a research topic (Grades 4-8) ~A student is writing a report about … Which question would lead to the most information for the paper? ~Which topic should you research to learn more about …?

23. Paraphrase Research Information (Grades 3-8) ~Which summary of the passage is best? ~A student is researching … for an oral report and locates this information on a Web site. Which sentence best paraphrases the information?

24. Questions ? What are 3 things that you need to do as a teacher to ensure that your students are getting quality writing instruction?