STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing A Ladder or a Stool: An Investigation Into The Claims Rhonda Bowron, Ph.D (334) Jan Oliver, Ph.D (334) Darrell Pearson, Ph.D (334) STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING I.Research-Based Writing Strategies: An Overview An Overview

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Research-Based Writing Strategies 1. “Sentence Writing Strategy” Research-Based Writing Strategies 1. “Sentence Writing Strategy” by Jean Schumaker 2. “Mapping” 3. “Power” 2. “Mapping” by E.P.M. Simmonds, J.P. Luchow, S. Kaminsky, and V. Cottone 3. “Power” by C.C. Englert, E.E. Raphael, L.M. Anderson, H.M. Anthony, K.L. Fear, and S.L. Gregg 4. “W–W–W, WHAT=2; HOW=2” 4. “W–W–W, WHAT=2; HOW=2” S. Graham, K.R. Harris, and R. Sawyer

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING II. Step Up to Writing: An Overview An Overview

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING What is Step Up to Writing? Step Up To Writing is a collection of classroom-proven, multi-sensory strategies for information/expository writing. Step Up To Writing is a collection of classroom-proven, multi-sensory strategies for information/expository writing. STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING What Does Step Up To Writing Do? What Does Step Up To Writing Do? 1. guides students to write clear, concise, organized papers. 2. teaches students to write great topic sentences and thesis statements and to connect ideas using transitions. 3. helps students establish a sense of order and control over the information in a paper. 4. requires students to support topics, to give examples and explanations, and to write a conclusion that stays on topic. 5. Gives students guidance, support, and direction for becoming successful writers. STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Who is Who is Step Up for Writing for? Step Up for Writing for? - General education in grades K – 12 - Special education in grades K English Language Learner programs - Gifted &Talented programs STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing Is about: Direct, Explicit Instruction Guided Practice Opportunities for Independent Practice STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing Is about: Tools Multisensory Color Word Lists Informal Outlines Examples Small Steps STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing Is about: the Writing Process Prewriting and Planning Drafting, Revising, and Editing Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and Sharing STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing Is about: Promoting the Traits of Good Writing Content Organization Style Vocabulary Sentence Structure Conventions

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing Is about: Common Language and Common High Expectations Common Language (school/system/etc.) –Same terminology –Builds on instruction Common High Expectations –Quality writing required in all classes/content areas/etc. STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING It’s the Color, Not the Form 1_____ 2 _____ 3_____1_____2_____3_____ Topic = STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Write a topic sentence. Go! Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition. Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition. Slow Down ! Explain. Give an example. Stop! Remind the reader of your topic. Remind the reader of your topic. Go Back! STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Topic Reason/Detail/Fact Explain Explain Conclusion STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Using Colors to Teach Organization Topic Sentence: Green means “go;” it asks the writer to decide: “What am I going to prove?” “What am I going to explain?” “What information will I share?” Reasons/Details/Facts: Yellow means “slow down.” –Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence. Explain: Red means “stop and explain.” Present evidence. Provide explanation and examples. Conclusion: Green means “go back to your topic.” Restate the topic and the position. Do not introduce new information. Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember. STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Step Up to Writing Is about: - direct, explicit instruction - guided & independent practice - multisensory tools - the writing process - promoting the traits of good writing - common language & common high expectations - writing in ALL “content areas” STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING III. Design of The Study: An Overview

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING RED 3371 Literacy I Study Participants: - 3 rural schools in SE Alabama - lower socio-economic status - fifth grade classes - principals and teachers agreed with this type of intervention - teachers agreed to follow up on days when pre-service teachers were not there to keep flow of Step-Up-To-Writing going

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING - Study began with 95 fifth grade students - Study ended with 87 fifth grade students - Study began with 95 fifth grade students - Study ended with 87 fifth grade students - participant omissions composed of students missing pre- and/or post-test - participant omissions composed of students missing pre- and/or post-test - instrument used for pre and post testing: post testing: TOWL (Test of Written Language) TOWL (Test of Written Language)

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING IV. The Findings: An Overview An Overview

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances Variable 1Variable 2 Mean Variance Observations86 Pooled Variance Hypothesized Mean Difference0 df170 t Stat P(T<=t) one-tail t Critical one-tail P(T<=t) two-tail t Critical two-tail

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING

STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING STEPSTEP UPUP TOTO WRITINGWRITING Dr. Darrell Pearson Dr. Rhonda Bowron Dr. Jan Oliver College of Education Troy University Troy, Alabama