A Parent’s Look at the 8 TH Grade Gateway that awaits your child

1. The Writer’s Guild A Parent’s Look at the 8TH Grade Gateway that awaits your child

3. Writer’s Guild Agenda • What is the Gateway Writing Test • What is the difference between Expository and Persuasive writing? • How have the students been prepared? • What can parents do over the next two months to help prepare for the test?

4. What is the Writing Gateway? • Two types of writing • Expository • Persuasive • For 8th grade students ONLY • NO CHOICE in the style of writing • 100 minutes – start to finish • Follows the writing process • Must pass the test for promotion • Spring opportunity for retake if needed • Remediation classes will be offered in the spring if needed

5. What are the two types of writing? • Expository & Persuasive • Expository & Descriptive • Persuasive & Narrative • Narrative & Expository Response Counter

6. How many minutes are students given during the writing test to complete their writing? • 60 • 80 • 90 • 100 Response Counter

7. 8th Grade students must pass the Gateway Writing Test is a promotion criteria. True False Response Counter

8. Expository – INFORM – Writing I deas developed with explanations N eeds specific details and examples F ully develops the topic O rganizational strategy R eader’s interest through strong voice M ulti-paragraph writing

9. Persuasive – PERSUADE –Writing P osition E motional and/or logical appeal R eader engagement S pecific facts or personal experience U se precise language A nticipate audience concerns D efend your position E ffective arguments

10. The purpose of an expository essay is to defend your position and use effective arguments. True False Response Counter

11. The Expository Essay will always be a 5 paragraph essay that is full of information. True False Response Counter

12. How are the students graded?

13. Controlling idea • Supporting idea • Major details • Specific examples and elaboration • Supporting ideas (relevant) • Relevance of detail • Depth of development • Awareness of Genre IDEAS domain- 40%

14. ORGANIZATION domain- 20% • Overall Plan • Introduction/Body/Conclusion • Sequence of Ideas • Grouping of Ideas • Expository or Persuasive Strategies • Transitions

15. STYLE domain-20% • Word Choice • Audience Awareness • Voice • Sentence Variety • Strategies Appropriate to • Expository or Persuasive Writing

16. CONVENTIONS domain-20% • SENTENCE FORMATION: correctness, • clarity, simple, compound, complex, end • punctuation • USAGE: sub-verb agreement, • pronoun agreement, standard words • MECHANICS: internal punctuation, • spelling, paragraphs, capitalization

17. Things to Remember?

18. DOs to REMEMBER: • DOs – that we DO stress that students DO … • DOwrite 2 PAGES – front and back – NO SKIPPING LINES – especially between paragraphs • DO know the style of writing and be sure to do it – Expository or Persuasive • DOremember the format for writing a letter • DOread the prompt more than once to understand the writing topic. • DObrainstorm • DO indent all paragraphs • DO make sure all paragraphs are at least 5 sentences • DO make sure writing is 5 or MORE paragraphs • DO write the final copy in BLUE or BLACK ink • DO proofread the final copy – use INSERT or SINGLE STRIKE THROUGH • DOwrite legibly.- print or cursive – your choice • DO include lots of detail • DO use transition words. • DO check the CRITERIA – • IDEAS* - DETAILS • ORGANIZATION – PARAGRAPHS – minimum of 5 paragraphs – intro., 3+ body, conclusion • STYLE – VOICE – aka CREATIVITY (adjectives / description) • CONVENTIONS – MECHANICS – spelling, punctuation, paragraphs • DO have a GOOD, STRONG Introduction • DOMAKE YOUR THESIS statement (main idea) – is your opinion of the topic – without saying “I….” • DO have a GOOD Conclusion • DOmake sure the conclusion is DIFFERENT than the intro with a restatement of your opinion /thesis

19. All of the following statements are suggested for students to do during the writing test EXCEPT: • write 1 PAGE • know the style of writing and be sure to do it – Expository or Persuasive • remember the format for writing a letter • read the prompt more than once to understand the writing topic. • brainstorm • indent all paragraphs • include lots of detail • MAKE YOUR THESIS statement (main idea) – is your opinion of the topic – without saying “I….” Response Counter

20. DON’Ts to REMEMBER: • DON’Ts – that we DO stress that students NOT DO … • DON’T start a sentence with AND or BUT • DON’T repeat the same word over and over • DON’T use “I think…” “I hope you enjoyed…” “I am going to tell you…” • DON’T abbreviate • DON’Tuse etc. • DON’T use contractions • DON’Twrite numbers – INSTEAD spell out all numbers 1-100 • DON’T forget to indent all paragraphs – USE a paragraph sign at the • beginning of paragraphs if you forget to indent • DON’T skip lines between paragraphs • DON’Twrite less than 5 paragraphs • DON’T write off topic • DON’T forget to READ the prompt more than once to understand the topic • DON’T use slang • DON’T introduce yourself … DON’T say “My name is…” • DON’T use the transitions – FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, LAST • DON’Tsay good bye in the conclusion • DON’T use “THE END” • DON’Tuse symbols (like 2 for the word “to”) • DON’T draw flowers, circles, or hearts to dot your “i.”

21. All of the following statements are NOTsuggested for students to do during the writing test EXCEPT: • start a sentence with AND or BUT • repeat the same word over and over • use “I think…” “I hope you enjoyed…” “I am going to tell you…” • introduce yourself at the beginning of your essay. • abbreviate • use etc. • use contractions • write numbers – INSTEAD spell out all numbers 1-100 Response Counter

22. What should you look for?

23. Student Writing Checklist for Gateway Writing • Prepare Yourself to Write • Read the Writing Situation and Directions for Writing carefully. • Brainstorm for ideas. • Decide what ideas to include and how to organize them. • Write only in English. • Make Your Paper Meaningful • Use your knowledge and/or personal experiences that are related to the topic. • Explain, clarify, and define your ideas. • Establish a clear controlling idea. • Fully develop your controlling idea with specific, supporting details. • Organize your ideas in a clear and logical order. • Write an expository essay and stay on topic. • Make Your Paper Interesting to Read • Think about what would be interesting to the reader. • Use a lively writing voice that shows your interest in the topic. • Use precise, descriptive, vivid words. • Vary the type, structure, and length of your sentences. • Make Your Paper Easy to Read • Indent to start a new paragraph. • Use effective transitions. • Write in complete and correct sentences. • Capitalize, spell, and punctuate correctly. • Make sure your subjects and verbs agree.

24. Writing prompt • Writing Situation • Eighth grade is a transition between middle school and getting ready for high school. Students have many concerns about the expectations and goals the school has for them. • Directions for Writing • Choose one concern that you have about eighth grade. Write an essay using specific details and reasons why this is a concern for you and how you might deal with it.

25. What can YOU do to help? • Review the writing process using the strategies and ideas • Review the handouts in this packet with your child. • Choose a prompt to discuss, analyze, brainstorm, and even write with your child • Help your child to prepare for the testing day– • #2 pencils and blue/black pen • Good night sleep • Eat breakfast (at least on this day) • Be present AND on time

26. My ACCESS – Student Writing Tool

27. What are your – Concerns ? Questions ? Thoughts ?