Quick Writes: Knipper, K. & Duggan T. (2006). Writing to learn across the curriculum: Tools for comprehension in content are classes. The Reading Teacher, 59(5), 465.
students are given a certain amount of time with which they are to write constantly on a certain topic
often used as a brainstorming activity
can be used as a beginning of class activity to start thinking about that day's topic, or an exit slip
effective strategy for the pre-writing stage of the writing process
Cross-Curricular Uses:
Art: reflection on a piece of work
English Language Arts: brainstorming for a writing activity, pre-writing for an essay or personal response
Social Studies: stating opinion on certain topic, brainstorm for a written response, exit slip responding to a question covered in class
Framed Paragraphs: Knipper, K. & Duggan T. (2006). Writing to learn across the curriculum: Tools for comprehension in content are classes. The Reading Teacher, 59(5), 466.
students are given an outline or fill in the blank set of notes that would requite them to follow along and fill out as they go
used for note taking, vocabulary assignments, summaries, lecture or textbook notes, reading comprehension, etc.
Cross-Curricular Uses:
can be used for vocabulary sheets for a number of different subjects
English Language Arts: reading comprehension questions, lecture notes
Science: lecture and textbook notes
Social Studies: lecture and textbook notes
Bio Poems: Knipper, K. & Duggan T. (2006). Writing to learn across the curriculum: Tools for comprehension in content are classes. The Reading Teacher, 59(5), 467.
allows students to think critically and creatively about a topic
follow a structured outline to research information about a topic
the criteria or line prompts can be changed to make the bio poem about a person, object, place, etc.
Cross-Curricular Uses:
Art: bio poem about an artist
English Language Arts: bio poem about author or character
Health/CTF: bio poem about self or family member
Physical Education: bio poem about a specific sport
Music: bio poem about musician/other important figures or an intrurment
Science: bio poem about animal, plant, or scientist
Social Studies: bio poem about a historical figure or place
Writing Like a Reader Using mentor texts to show students how to write.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers Can be used for:
ELA: Students can write a letter from their favorite or least favorite color's perspective
Science: Students can mix and make their own color and then write a letter from their new color/crayon's perspective
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway Can be used for:
ELA: Students can write a reflection of how war would effect them or how it has effected them
Social: Students can write a letter to a war veteran and tank them for their service
The Grapes of Math by Greg Tan and illsutraed by Harry Briggs Can be used for:
ELA: Students can learn to write riddles and poems
Math: Students can write and make their own book of patterns. They can write riddles and questions to go alone with their patterns