Mountain Writing Project Summer Institute 2011

1. Mountain Writing ProjectSummer Institute 2011 Renita Cooksey Adams Middle School 8th Grade Language Arts IPAD

2. Providing Individual, Useful Feedback to Student’s Writing. ….so much to do in so little time.

3. Research….. • Teachers know the importance of giving students feedback, the problem is how to provide individual, useful feedback to 125 students on every writing assignment????

4. Sources…. • Jody S. Underwood and Alyson P. Tregidgo – Improving Students Writing Through Effective Feedback: Best Practices and Recommendations. • Robert J. Marzona, Debra J. Pickering, Jane E. Pollock- Classroom Instruction That Works • Ruth Culham – 100 Trait- Specific Comments • Laura Robb with Jim Burke – Teaching Middle School Writers • Mountain Writing Project Summer Institute 2011 • Professional Development

5. Research has shown me…. • Every piece of writing does not have to be finished…..show growth. • Focus on one area of the scoring rubric……don’t overwhelm yourself and your students!! • Teach students how to peer score using a scoring guide….love the Glow/Grow Chart!! • Don’t give feedback with an overall grade….give them the opportunity to make changes before you assign a grade. • Content trumps Conventions in developing writers....not saying grammar isn’t as important, however! • Provide examples of writing (including your own) to exemplify what you are looking for….what constitutes an A, B, C, etc (we have to keep Infinite Campus up to date!) • Be specific and positive…..”Do unto others…..”

6. Fantastic Four • Professional Development – Abell and Atherton Educational Consulting, Inc. • Sylvia Abell     PO BOX 564     Morgantown, KY  42261     e-mail:  sylvia.abell@aaec.info     phone:  270.526.3512     fax:  270-526-3512 • Debby Atherton     PO BOX 564     Morgantown, KY  42261     e-mail:  debby.atherton@aaec.info     phone:  502.538-3560     fax:  270-526-3512 • Focus on Open Response Writing • Practices can carry over into on-demand writing.

7. How to get a “Fantastic 4” on Open Response Writing…. • R.U.N. to answer all parts. (Read entire question, underline verbs, box numbers and wavy line parts that need answers.) • Create a “Do-What” t-chart. • Answer with in-depth understanding of the relevant concepts and/or processes. “I can statement.” What’s the best way to show understanding? • OK….did I do it????

8. Let’s Try It….. Prompt: The Mountain Writing Project has provided teachers with a wealth of information to improve student success in their classrooms and schools. Task: List 3 resources from the Mt. Writing Project that you feel has been most beneficial to you and your students. Describe how you plan to share this information with your school.

9. How can I use this in other areas of writing? • Use the “Do/What T-Chart” with constructed response questions. • Create your own “Fantastic 4” rubric

10. Last, but not least….questions/comments????? • Someone • Anyone (crickets chirping….)