WHAT IS ON DEMAND WRITING?

1. WHAT IS ON DEMAND WRITING?

2. What Is On Demand Writing? ·        Fifth graders are asked to write a LETTER or an ARTICLE. ·        In these two forms, students are asked to narrate, persuade, or inform. ·        Performance level scores are Novice, Apprentice, Proficient, or Distinguished. ·        On the KCCTTestin the spring, students will be given two different prompts from which to choose. They will read both of them and decide which one they know the most about or the one for which they could write the best answer. Students will choose that one and ignore the one that they decide not to do. ·        The prompt consists of a SITUATION (background information) and a writing TASK (article or letter with intended audience).

3. ·        On Demand Writing demonstrates the students’ KNOWLEDGE OFWRITING about such familiar topics as class rules, friendships, field trips, favorite authors, school issues, etc. The prompts will be familiar to all students. These prompts are based on “common sense” knowledge. ·        On Demand is different from Open Response because you do not have to be “taught” the subject matter. Open Response items test knowledge of content. On Demand Writing is about every day living issues such as the ones mentioned above. ·        Students may follow Guide Posters when writing a letter and an article. These will tell step-by-step how to write each one. They will also look at models of a letter and an article. These models will help them understand how each piece of writing should look.

4. ·      Students will use the S.P.A.T. technique for On Demand Writing. Sstands for SITUATION – What is in the background information? P stands for PURPOSE – Why are you writing? A stands for AUDIENCE – To whom are you writing? T stands for TASK – What form are you supposed to use – letter or article? ·        Students will be encouraged to have at least five paragraphs in the on demand piece-whether it is an article or letter. vIntroduction Paragraph vBody Paragraph # 1 vBody Paragraph # 2 vBody Paragraph # 3 vConclusion Paragraph

5. Situation: When facing a new experience, everyone tends to react differently.  Some people become anxious, some get frightened, and some people face new experiences calmly. Knowing how others have dealt with new experiences can better prepare us for similar situations. Task: Write an article for the school newspaper narrating a time you faced a new experience and how you dealt with it.

6. Graphic Organizer for Choosing an On Demand Task Choice # 2 ___________________ Situation: ____________________ Purpose: _____________________ Audience: ____________________ Task: ________________________ What I know about this topic: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Choice # 1__________________ Situation:___________________ Purpose:____________________ Audience:__________________ Task:______________________ What I know about this topic: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Letter Graphic Organizer 1800 Creason Drive Bowling Green, KY 42101 January 8, 2011 Dear ______________, Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Conclusion Paragraph Sincerely, Signature Heading Greeting Body Closing Signature

8. Article Graphic Organizer Title of Article Introduction or Lead Paragraph Subtitle of Body Paragraph #1 Body Paragraph # 1 Subtitle of Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph # 2 Subtitle of Body Paragraph #3 Body Paragraph # 3 Conclusion (Subtitle may simply be Conclusion)

9. ·IDEA DEVELOPMENT is the most important quality when writing On Demand tasks. Students will learn how to develop ideas when they write proficient paragraphs.

10. Idea Development in Body Paragraphs • Body paragraphs are the second, third, and fourth paragraphs that you will write between your lead/introduction and conclusion paragraph. • In order to develop ideas in each body paragraph, students will practice writing proficient paragraphs. • Each body paragraph must have: • A topic sentence • Six to eight supporting detail sentences • A conclusion sentence • A total of eight-ten sentences.

11. How to Put More Details in Paragraphs • Use names (real or made up). • Think of exact colors, shapes, and sizes. • Use comparisons (similes, metaphors, etc.) that are not cliché or “worn out” such as “slow as molasses”. • Notice all the details even those that might not be seem important at first. • Use all five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. • Use story or anecdotal examples (real or made up) that support your stance. • Include statistics such as nine out of ten or 25 percent…

12. Article or Letter Introduction • Give as proper “Hello”, greeting, or sentence • in which you empathize or sympathize with • reader. • State the situation. • State the purpose. • Ask the reader to read on to find out……… Capture your reader’s attention with your introduction (lead).

13. Example of a Lead This is an example of a lead that could be used to address the problem of food fights in the cafeteria. Dear Principal, How are you? I suspect you’re extremely busy as usual and would love to have some peace for a change. However, I feel like I must be the bearer of bad news. The cafeteria at lunch time has become a war zone. Yesterday, our class was greeted with sandwiches flying through the air as we trotted into the lunchroom. One boy was flinging mashed potatoes with his spoon, and two girls were pelting each other with grapes. The good news is that I have some ideas that might help bring order to the chaos. Please read on to find out how I propose to … (List three ideas here which you will develop in the three body paragraphs.)

14. Conclusion The conclusion of a letter or article sums up the main idea of the entire piece. In the conclusion restate some of your introduction and list the main idea of each body paragraph. This is also the place to state your final thoughts.

15. Proofreading • Before you turn in your final draft, stop and check the following: • spelling • capital letters • punctuation marks • indented paragraphs • missing words • focus • subject/verb agreement • varied sentences • sentence fragments/run on sentences • comma use in sequences • repeated or worn out words • correct word usage • homophone spelling

16. Commonly Confused Words there * their * they’re your * you’re to * too * two good * well whose * who’s affect * effect

17. If you follow these tips, you will be writing proficient pieces in no time. If you add lots of detail and use rich vocabulary, your piece may even be distinguished.