Transcript BTSA Colloquium Y2 - Orange Unified School District

BTSA
Colloquium Y2
Sarah Berlin
Portola Middle School
May 5, 2010
The Question

How can I teach writing in a meaningful
and concrete manner, using the six traits
of writing to push students forward,
building on their abilities?
Preparation


In August I attended the UCI Writing
Project- Six Traits of Writing seminar
After learning new techniques for
teaching writing- I decided to focus
my teaching practice on
implementing them in the classroom
– Will it tangibly affect the way my
students write?
The Plan


I spent the first month or so of school
introducing the six traits of writing
and explaining how to evaluate
writing on a rubric.
Then, students used these tools in
various writing assignments during
each stage of the writing process.
Drafting

This is one of the biggest shocks to
students- a polished piece of writing
is supported by multiple drafts.
Peer Revision


The elusive activity
that can be powerful if
done well
I learned a technique
called STAR last year
at Kelly Gallagher’s
Adolescent Writers
seminar and it is
amazing!
–
–
–
–
S-substitute
T- take out
A- add
R- rearrange
Results
Entry Level
Summative
15
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
11
3
lo
w
B
e
ed
t
an
c
ie
n
A
d
v
c
P
ro
fi
/B
ic
s
B
a
lo
w
B
a
s
as
ic
ic
1
B
e
ar
F
5
4
The Future

In my next years of teaching I want to
focus on differentiation, especially for
my lower students. I need to develop
more strategies to ensure that students
below my class level are still included in
the learning of the information. I need
to focus on this aspect of differentiation
because I have struggled with addressing
these students’ needs this year.
Future Cont.


To accomplish this goal I am planning to
seek out training in differentiation. I am
also going to be trained in language!,
which is a program designed to help
students below grade level make strides
in reaching proficiency.
I also plan to achieve National Board
Certification and, eventually, complete
my PhD in Education.
Questions

Are there any Questions, Comments,
Concerns?
THE END