Making Choices

Sally MartinJune 18, SI 2014

Donald Graves“…children learn to write when they are well informed on a subject and have a passion for the truth of things….

Donald GravesFurther … children need to have a sense of ownership about their writing, to feel in control of their subjects….

Donald GravesHowever… choice is meaningless unless we show our students how to connect choice with honest struggles and issues.”

“…teachers should include opportunities for students to choose their own topics and/or modify teacher-selected prompts related to the purposes and genres being taught.”

Steve Graham, et.al.

Introduce Young Writers to real-world discourses.

Gallagher: Recommendation 1

Real-World Writing PurposesWriters work in different genres as they compose “the 3 types” of writing required in the CCSS.

Model real-world writing in your discipline.

Writing Purposes

1 Topic = 18 Topics

• Select a topic from your teaching content your Writers Notebook, etc.

• Using purposes listed in the left column on the chart, brainstorm 3 possible topics for each purpose/row.

• Quickwrite on at least 3 of your 18 topics to decide which has the most depth for you.