Step Up to Success:Supporting English Learners with

Direct Explicit Instruction in Writing

Marisol Hood, ELD 1,2 Teacher, Del Mar High School Anissa Sharief, ELD Teacher, Del Mar High School Steve Sinclair, SCCOE, ELA Coordinator

Outcomes

To give a brief overview of Step Up to Writing principles

To witness Step Up to Writing Strategies at work in EL classrooms

To demonstrate how Step Up to Writing tools support the gradual release model of instruction: “I do, We do, You do”

Agenda

Step Up to Writing Down and Dirty

Step Up in ELD 1: Differentiating for Preoperational and Concrete Operational

Step Up in ELD 3: Using Oral Language to Develop Student Writing Muscles

Lost Luggage

Teaching English Learners to write is like ____________________________________

because_____________________________.

Lost Luggage

Teaching English Learners to write is like being a short order cook because you need to give students what they need on demand and in short notice.

Lost Luggage

Stand up and greet someone you don’t know. Take turns reading your “luggage” message.

No commentary. Thank your partner. Find a new partner and repeat the process. Lose your “luggage” at least 3 times.

Step Up to Writing is NOT a

PROGRAM!

Step Up to Writing Is about Tools

Multisensory Color Word Lists Informal Outlines Examples Small Steps

1-11-1––1-51-51-11-1––1-51-5

GangsGangs

GGangs are just a bunch of people with angs are just a bunch of people with

nothing better to do. Gangs cause problems. nothing better to do. Gangs cause problems.

I would not join a gang. Well, maybe if I was I would not join a gang. Well, maybe if I was

with my friends but probably not. My mom is with my friends but probably not. My mom is

against gangs. The movies are filled with gangs against gangs. The movies are filled with gangs

and there are a lot of songs about gangs. and there are a lot of songs about gangs.

Stay away from gangs they are bad for you.Stay away from gangs they are bad for you.

2-1 (2.1)2-1 (2.1)2-1 (2.1)2-1 (2.1)

Step Up to Writing Is about the Writing Process

Prewriting and PlanningPrewriting and Planning

Drafting, Revising, and EditingDrafting, Revising, and Editing

Creating a Final Copy, Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and SharingProofreading, and Sharing

1-61-61-61-6

GangsGangs

The Five Elements ofThe Five Elements ofExpository WritingExpository Writing

Organization is the key.Organization is the key.

Transitions are the glue.Transitions are the glue.

Conclusions tie it all together.Conclusions tie it all together.

Topic sentences and thesis Topic sentences and thesis statements are the heart.statements are the heart.

Examples, evidence, and Examples, evidence, and explanations are the meat.explanations are the meat.

Organization is the key.Organization is the key.

Great Expository ParagraphsGreat Expository Paragraphs

Topic SentenceTopic Sentence

Reason/Detail/FactReason/Detail/Fact

ExplainExplain

ExplainExplain

Reason/Detail/FactReason/Detail/Fact

ExplainExplain

ConclusionConclusion

ExplainExplain

TopicCats protect themselves in two ways.

Reason/Detail/FactFirst, they are able to get away quickly from their enemies.

ExplainCats are fast runners.

ExplainThey can climb trees, too.

Reason/Detail/FactNext, cats are good fighters.

ExplainCats’ sharp claws can inflict pain and discourage attackers.

ConclusionFelines can take care of themselves.

ExplainThey can also use their pointed incisors to bite their enemies when necessary.

Smoking’s Health Toll and Price TagSmoking’s Health Toll and Price Tag

Although smoking may seem cool, it is very unhealthy and expensive.

Many people die from smoking related problems such as cancer, heart

disease etc. every year. According to World Book Encyclopedia during

the mid-1980s smoking contributed to 30 percent of all deaths from

cancer and heart disease in the United States of America. Furthermore,

cigarette smoking was associated with 85 percent of all cases of lung

cancer. Secondly, smoking is very expensive. If someone smoked one

pack of cigarettes every day that cost $3 for 50 years it would cost them

$54,750, which is enough money to buy an expensive and luxurious car.

On the contrary, if someone put $3 a day into a bank or investment

institution they would be making hundreds of dollars in only a few years

just because of the interest they are collecting. Clearly, smoking is very

unhealthy and expensive too, so don’t start smoking until you have

considered all of the negative effects!

Fifth GradeFifth Grade

Marisol Hood

Step Up to Writing in ELD 1:

From Sensorimotor

to Concrete Operational using Differentiated Instruction

Scaffolding EL 1Teaching Steps

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development Sensorimotor Stage Preoperational Stage

Pictures Vocabulary Graphic Organizers

Concrete Operational Stage Sentence Writing Paragraph Writing Essay Writing

Scaffolding EL 1 Piaget's Theory

Piaget’s 4 stages of cognitive development:

1. Sensorimotor: learning based on physical interaction and experiences.

2. Preoperational: Learning is non-logical. Students follow directions, but do not understand the reason for the direction.

3. Concrete Operational: Learning becomes logical. Students understand the reasons behind the directions and students ask questions.

4. Formal Operational: students teach others and there is a spontaneous use of information without the teacher’s direction.

Stage 1: Sensorimotor

Classroom Environment Calming music Colorful pictures Sweet Sent Jovial demeanor

TPR

Stage 2: Preoperational Pictures

Dictionaries Internet Student art Magazines

Vocabulary Word Lists Verb Wall Parts of Speech

Step Up Vocabulary: Functional Grammar

Step Up to Writing Color Coding

TPR

Picture Dictionary

Verb Wall

Parts of SpeechNouns

deskSan Jose

Dog

Cat

Man

House

woman

house

Parts of SpeechWebs

Step Up Vocabulary Functional Grammar

Stage 3: Concrete Operational

Writing Sentences I Do/We do/ You do in groups/You do

Saffolded Graphic Organizers: Who, Action, Where, When, How, What

Writing Paragraphs I Do/We do/ You do in groups/You do

Color Coding Cluster Web Linear Graphic Organizer Write a paragraph

Graphic Organizer:Building a Sentence

Graphic Organizer: Writing a sentence

YOU DOGraphic Organizer

Write a sentence about…1. School When Who Action Where How WhatLast week the girl talked in front of the school and she did a good job.

2. Valentine’s Day When Action What Who Who Action WhatTomorrow is Valentine’s Day and the school and the teachers will have a party and Who Howthe students will be happy.

3. Food

When Who Action Where What How WhatTomorrow my brother will go to Safeway and buy eggs and cold milk.

4. Music

When Who Action Where How WhatToday I went to the party and he had good music.

Posole

bananas

ice cream

Traditional Food

My Favorite kinds of

food

Spicy

It smells like Chili Chicken

WE DOStep Up Paragraph Outline

YOU DO IN GROUPSStep Up Paragraph

Model ParagraphOutlined in Step Up colors

Anissa Sharief

Step Up to Writing in ELD 3:

Using oral language to develop student writing muscles

ELD 3 Steps Up to Writing!

Mostly early intermediate and intermediate writers.

Majority of students have not passed the CAHSEE.

Primary struggle: organizing and developing ideas

Scaffolding EL 3Teaching Steps

Expository vs. Narrative Models Window Pane Color Coding Four Step Writing Practice: highlight/critique

a model paragraph, brainstorm, informal outline, write

Oral Practice with Stand Up/ Sound Off Oral Presentation

Expository vs. Narrative

Focus on Expository Writing

Window Pane

Piaget’s Sensorimotor Phase 6 Visual and Physical Reminders for students A strategy developed by The WRITE Institute

Introduce the Colors

Practice with Colors

Four Step Writing Practice

Step 1: Highlight and critique student model Step 2: Brainstorming Web on same topic Step 3: Narrow focus to one idea and create

an Informal Outline Step 4: Write a rough draft

Final Step: Students give an oral presentation

Stand Up Sound Off

Stand Up Sound Off is a fast and effective speaking activity. It requires students to quickly brainstorm on a topic, get organized and prepare to speak!

Topic Sentence 2 Key Ideas

Elaboration

From Binder Paper to Colored Flashcards

After sufficient practice with Stand Up Sound Off, we return to the 4 steps packet, and begin step 5. The students transfer their

color coded paragraph onto colored flashcards:

1 Green 3 Yellows 3 Reds 1 Green