The Wide World of Writing

1. The Wide World of Writing March 13, 2009 Lori G. Wilfong, Ph.D.

2. Agenda • A few summary strategies • Efferent vs. aesthetic writing • Everyday, every content writing practices • Two voice poems

3. 10 words or less • On each of your sticky notes, write one word that you would use to describe yourself. • Could be words that describe your personality, words about your occupation, hobbies, etc.

4. My example… Boater, traveler, reader, from Los Angeles, Jayhawk supporter, cook, shopper

5. 10 words or lessSummary Strategy #1 • Scaffold summary writing by having students subtract out the 10 most important words of a piece of text. • 10 words can be manipulated into sentences on post-it notes or note cards

6. A little bit more about you… • What is the best piece of writing you have ever written? What makes it your favorite? • What kinds of topics do you like to write about? • What are your favorite writing genres? • What kind of feedback do you like to get about your writing • Do you characterize yourself as a quick starter or a procrastinator?

7. And finally… • What is your relationship with deadlines? • Do you like to write in silence or with background noise? • What tools and equipment do you like to use for writing? • Do you prefer to write in class or at home?

8. Have you ever asked your students these questions? More importantly, would they even know the answers to these questions?

9. SWBST – Somebody Wanted But So ThenSummary Strategy #2

10. Efferent vs. Aesthetic writing • Efferent Car accident example • Aesthetic

11. Efferent vs. Aesthetic Writing Examples

12. Make Writing an Everyday Part of your Curriculum • Entrance Slips • Exit Slips • Written Conversations • Classroom Learning Logs

13. Entrance Slips – Getting Juices Flowing • Name two things you already know about this topic. • What are two facts you remember from yesterday’s class? • Summarize yesterday’s lesson in 10 words or less.

14. Exit Slips- Reinforcing today’s learning for tomorrow • Describe 2 things you took away from today’s lecture. • Summarize today’s lesson using SWBST • Write a test question over today’s material (multiple choice, short answer, etc.)

15. Written conversations-Think-Pair-Share in written form • Write down you reaction to what you just read (set a time limit). • Switch papers with a partner and read and respond to their reaction (set a time limit).

16. Classroom learning log-Preserve learning for posterity! • Record facts & concepts • Reflect on new ideas • Alert the teacher to students’ misunderstandings and provide opportunities to redirect students’ thinking

17. A classroom routine… • Week ____ • Describe the most important concept you learned this week and why it’s important to you. • Record the number of times you made contributions in class and describe the nature of the contributions. • List at least one additional source for learning more about what you are studying in class.

18. I Am Poems • “I am” poems • Fill-in-the blank poem that makes writing poetry seem easy • Online resource: • http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/iampoem.htm • Fill out one of your poems as your favorite historical figure

19. Two-Voice Poems • Partner up with someone who wrote their “I Am” poem from another perspective. • Choose a stanza and write out your poem in two voice form • Be prepared to share!

20. The Most Important ThingSummary Strategy #3 • The most important thing about writing across the curriculum is _______________________________. • But, the most important thing about writing across the curriculum is _______________________________.

21. Thank you for participating! Contact info: lgkrug@kent.edu