Writing to Learn  Short informal writing tasks to help think through key concepts- brief- 5 minutes  A way for students to actively think about content and make connections, develop questions and add to their understanding  Audience- WRITER!

Admit Slips O Copy an illustration from the story, copy the book cover, type a list of the title/heading/subheadings used in the book that will be read the next day. O Students write questions they think the next day’s reading will answer. O List three pieces of information they believe they will learn from the reading.

Learning Logs O Reflect on learning that has occurred during class. O Quick writes, prompts O Bobcat Notebooks

Exit Slips O Short prompts given as a focused writing that will give feedback about their learning.  Write about something new you learned today.  What made learning easy or hard for you today?  What questions were you left with at the end of class?

 How did what we learned today connect to the work we did yesterday?  How will you/I know when you have mastered this concept?  What new questions do you have?  What prediction do you have for the reading you will do after this?  List three to five important things to remember about this reading/writing/learning strategy.

Remember you do not have to read everything they write! It is not about the grade! It is not about feedback! It is about them thinking and getting their thoughts down on paper! It is about sharing and discussion!