eric cohen books 2008 writing: task to project clarity, expectation and format
TRANSCRIPT
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Writing:Task to Project
Clarity, Expectation and Format
Eric Cohen Books 2008
I’m sure you realize that a task/project
should reflect some background knowledge enable problem-solving enable multiple responses encourage collaborative learning
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Task / Projectpresentations on a
Continuum (according to the NBA)
Present information on limited content, supported by visual aids
Present information taken from different sources
Describe people, places, things and events React to the
content of something read, seen or heard
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Produce a short coherent writing and/or speech that conveys personal experiences Express ideas and
opinions about general topics and experiences using main and supporting ideas Design a means for
collecting information, such as questionnaire, and list results
Design different means for collecting information, such as survey and interviews and report on the results
Eric Cohen Books 2008
So, all they need to do is:
Present information on limited content, supported by visual aids
Describe people, places, things and events
Produce a short coherent writing and/or speech that conveys personal experiences
Design a means for collecting information, such as questionnaire, and list results
Eric Cohen Books 2008
What is a task?
A performance task enables pupils to demonstrate their ability to integrate and use knowledge, skills and work habits in a meaningful activity. These tasks show how a pupil uses language in a real-life situation, rather than just providing information on pupils’ theoretical knowledge.
A task must have an identifiable outcome. (reason for doing it, a purpose, a goal)
There must be real communication. (unpredictable/predictable outcome)
It must be motivating (need to communicate)
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Types of Tasks
Retelling Tasks - ask students to absorb some information and then demonstrate that they've understood it. (PowerPoint/poster)
Compilation Tasks - students take information from a number of sources and put it into a common format. (cookbook, deck of cards answers from questionnaire)
Journalistic Tasks - students act like reporters covering the event - gathering facts and organizing them into an account within the usual genres of news and feature writing. In evaluating how they do, accuracy is important and creativity is not. (news article/radio broadcast / video cast)
Design Tasks - students create a product or plan of action that accomplishes a pre-determined goal and works within specified constraints.(vacation / home).
Eric Cohen Books 2008
More tasksConsensus Building Tasks - students report on different viewpoints be articulated, considered, and accommodated where possible - current events and recent history provide many opportunities for practice
Persuasion Task – students present at a mock city council hearing or a trial, write a letter, editorial or press release, or producing a poster or videotaped ad designed to sway opinions.
Analytical Task - students are asked to look closely at one or more things and to find similarities and differences, to figure out the implications for those similarities and differences.
Judgment Task - students present a number of items and are ask them to rank or rate them, or to make an informed decision among a limited number of choices.
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Simple example of a performance task:
Person of the Year award a. You must nominate someone for a prize.
b. Choose the person (a singer, pop star, someone in your town, school etc.).
c. Choose the prize they will receive.
d. Fill in an ID card for this person
e. Write three reasons why the person should receive this prize.
f. After your teacher has checked your work, create a poster that will help others vote for this person
Eric Cohen Books 2008
So, what are they expected to do?
Focus on a name of a person, place or thing
Collect specific information
Report information or details - no opinions necessary
Pictures / graphs / charts optional
3 reasons = 3 sentences
Eric Cohen Books 2008
More advanced example of a performance task:
Write an email to the head of your municipality complaining about the early hour that school begins.
Formal letter format Paragraph 1 – statement of complaint Paragraph 2 – 3 reasons why the early hour is
harmful to teenagers Paragraph 3 – 3 suggestions how to improve the
situation
Eric Cohen Books 2008
When does a task become a project?
An extended performance task may develop into a project. Following is a definition of a project adapted from Wiggins and McTighe (1999, p. 52):“A project is an extended and complex performance task, usually occurring over a period of time. Projects usually involve extensive pupil inquiry culminating in pupil products and performances which
are assessed using a variety of assessment tools.”
when two or more tasks are needed to compete itwhen there is cooperative learning with two or more
studentswhen students work weeks or months to complete itmay have some ‘real life’ learning dilemmas
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Project requirements:
The length of the project (the written and oral presentation) depends on:
the year when the pupils are doing the project (10th, 11th or 12th grade)
whether the pupils are doing the project individually, in pairs or in groups
the nature of the project.
Teachers should therefore decide on the length of the project based on the level of the class and the topic of the project
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Project Format
Cover pageTable of contentRationale for choice of topicBibliographySelf assessment / checklist / reflection
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Getting it into proportion –
individual project
Introduction: (1 paragraph) what is this project about (1-4 sentences)
Body: (2 and maybe 3 paragraphs) Each paragraph one topic or subtopic
(probably only 4 or 5 sentences)
Conclusion: (3d or maybe 4th paragraph) What I learned (content) from this project
( 2 to 4 sentences and can include reflection)
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Getting it into proportion –
group project 2 or 3 people
Introduction: (1 paragraph) what is this project (1-4 sentences)
Body: (3 and maybe 4 paragraphs) Each paragraph one topic (probably only 4 or 5
sentences per paragraph)
Conclusion:(4th or maybe 5th paragraph) What we learned (content) from this project (maybe
2 to 4 sentences and can include reflection)
Eric Cohen Books 2008
What do we need to teach?
Basic sentence structure include: Word order adjective placement prepositions connectors: and / but (etc.) warn about run-on sentences
Punctuation: . ? (carefully the ,)Capitalization: people, places and thingsBasic paragraph structure: 3 - 4 sentencesConclusion: I learned . . . (maybe – my opinion. . . I believe. .. )
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Successful Writingor
(What are they looking for?)
Complete sentences Organized sentences Relevant informationCorrect basic grammar usageCorrect use of basic punctuationFew spelling errors
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Why do students do copy / pastetasks and projects?
The task / project guidelines are too complicated. expectations (checklist or rubric) aren’t
clear to the student. topic is too intellectual in correlation to the
language level.
Ok - sometimes they are just too lazy!!
Eric Cohen Books 2008
What do you need to teach?
when to use a capital letter
when to use a period or question markwhich subject and verb go togetherwhere to add adjectives and adverbs
what is a complete sentencehow to add prepositional phraseshow to write a paragraph
topic sentence supporting sentences concluding / summary
sentence
Eric Cohen Books 2008
What can you do?
Have the students always answer in complete sentences.Give at least one writing assignment a week.Give the students a check list stating what you will be assessing on each assignment.Each check list should be an expansion of the previous one. One step at a time.
Tell them how and what they write really matters. Give each student a chance to do every writing assignment a second time in order to correct their mistakes.Give each student a list of general writing rules.
Prepare a poster of these
rules for the class.
Eric Cohen Books 2008
So. . . Make sure the task / project guidelines are VERY clear!
Make sure the students understand how he / she will be graded.
Don’t ever accept copy / paste tasks or projects!
Make sure there is a correlation between the students’ language, maturity level and task / project expectations.
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Put It Into Perspective:Written Social Interaction / Presentation
Module B / D for Bagrut exam
B
30
# pts
#tasks
Length Benchmarks Suggested Task Types
1 35 - 40 words
Foundation Intermediate Proficiency
extended forms informal letter such as to a friend, family, teens abroad notes postcard• short composition
expressing feelings, likes and dislikesdescribing people, places, things and eventsproducing a short piece of coherent writing
expressing personal wishes and opinionsgiving information in writing, such as postcards, letters
D
30
100-120 words
reacting to the content of something readexpressing ideas and opinions about general topics and experiences using main and supporting ideas extracting relevant information for a specific purpose
relating to themes/ideas from a personal perspectivepresenting an argument for or against a particular point of view
informal letter review composition
1
F
30
120 - 140 words
- reacting to the content of something read- expressing ideas and opinions about general topics and experiences using main and supporting ideas - expressing ideas and opinions about texts
- presenting an argument for or against a particular point of view- relate to various themes from a personal perspective
•semiformal or formal letter •· review•composition
1
Eric Cohen Books 2008
What is enough words?Dear Sara,
How are you? I’m fine. I can’t wait to see you next month at theKinneret. I miss you and my friends from my old school so much.
I have one new friend, Maya.
Black area – 40 wordsWhole letter– 111 words
My new school is boring. I’m having so many problems there. I keep getting into trouble. Yesterday I was sent home because I didn’t get to my math class on time.
Your best friend,
Sandy
I have nothing I to do on the weekend too. I miss going to the coffee shop and talking to you and Liron. I don’t want to stay here and I don’t know what to do. Help! Call me tonight, please.
Eric Cohen Books 2008
Bibliography
WebQuest Taskonomy: A Taxonomy of Tasks
Problem Based Learning
Task Based Learning Part 3: What is a task?”
Ministry of Education Israel – Assessment Guidelines
What is Performance-Based Education?
Performance Tasks for One-Point Pupils