Writing in the Common Core
- 1. Common Core and Writing
- 2. Today’s Objectives are to… • Develop an understanding of writing as defined by upcoming Common Core State Standards. • Examine the three types of writing addressed by Common Core State Standards. • Analyze the Composition Scoring Tool used by (BCPS) Social Studies Departments.
- 3. What are the Common Core State Standards? Aligned with higher education and professional expectations Focused and coherent Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order thinking skills Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards Internationally benchmarked so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society Based on evidence and research State led, to be adopted by 2014.
- 4. Writing Writing types/purposes (Standards 1−3): • Writing arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or text, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. • Writing informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. • Writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, well-chosen details, and well- structured event sequences. • Strong and growing across-the-curriculum emphasis on students writing arguments and informative/explanatory texts
- 5. Writing Production and distribution of writing (Standards 4−6): • Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. • Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. • Using technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. Research (standards 7−9) • Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. • Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism. • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Range of writing (standard 10) • Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
- 6. Writing Standards for History/Social Studies • Write arguments on discipline-specific content and informative/explanatory texts • Use of data, evidence, and reason to support arguments and claims • Use of domain-specific vocabulary
- 7. Look through the Common Core State Standards for Writing. How is this the Common Core different from what we already do?
- 8. Composition Scoring Tool Levels of Mastery: S.A.T. Format Components of Effective Writing Clearly Mostly Moderately Somewhat Minimal Not No (Based on The Six Traits for Writing) Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Response 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Ideas/ Argumentative Writing: Content Begins with a thesis that supports one or more claims. Supports claims using clear, logical reasons from accurate, credible sources. Refutes counterclaims, if needed. Provides relevant evidence for each reason. Organization Includes a clear organizational pattern (description, cause-and- effect, problem-solution, question- answer, etc.). Includes an introduction, conclusion, and smooth transitions. Voice Maintains a tone that is consistent with the topic, purpose, and audience. Word Choice Uses precise words and phrases that are appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience. Sentence Uses a variety of sentence structure Fluency and length that creates a natural flow or rhythm. Conventions Demonstrates proper grammar, (Mechanics) usage, and mechanics (spelling and punctuation). Check One: □ Self □ Peer □ Teacher assessTrax Grading Conversion Scale: 1-12 = 1 Point 13-24 = 2 Points 25-36 = 3 Points
- 9. Composition Scoring Tool Levels of Mastery: S.A.T. Format Components of Effective Writing Clearly Mostly Moderately Somewhat Minimal Not No (Based on The Six Traits for Writing) Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Response 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Ideas/ Expository/Informative Writing: Content Begins with a thesis that introduces a topic. Develops the topic with relevant, well chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, other information, and/or examples. Organization Includes a clear organizational pattern (definition, classification, cause-and-effect, problem- solution, question-answer, etc.). Includes an introduction, conclusion, and smooth transitions. Voice Maintains a tone that is consistent with the topic, purpose, and audience. Word Choice Uses precise words and phrases that are appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience. Sentence Uses a variety of sentence structure Fluency and length that creates a natural flow or rhythm. Conventions Demonstrates proper grammar, (Mechanics) usage, and mechanics (spelling and punctuation). Check One: □ Self □ Peer □ Teacher assessTrax Grading Conversion Scale: 1-12 = 1 Point 13-24 = 2 Points 25-36 = 3 Points
- 10. Composition Scoring Tool Levels of Mastery: S.A.T. Format Components of Effective Writing Clearly Mostly Moderately Somewhat Minimal Not No (Based on The Six Traits for Writing) Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Response 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Ideas/ Narrative Writing: Content Establishes a context and point of view. Organizes event sequences that unfold naturally and logically Organization Develops experiences, events, and/or characters using narrative techniques (description, dialogue, and/or reflection). Maintains appropriate pacing. Uses a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses that allow the reader to determine changes in time, setting, and relationships. Voice Maintains a tone that is consistent with the topic, purpose, and audience. Word Choice Uses precise words and phrases in descriptive details Sentence Uses a variety of sentence structure Fluency and length that creates a natural flow or rhythm. Conventions Demonstrates proper grammar, (Mechanics) usage, and mechanics (spelling and punctuation). Check One: □ Self □ Peer □ Teacher assessTrax Grading Conversion Scale: 1-12 = 1 Point 13-24 = 2 Points 25-36 = 3 Points
- 11. Refers to The Six Traits for Focuses on levels of mastery required for college Writing taught in middle and preparatory writing as found on the SAT. high school. Composition Scoring Tool Ensures Levels of Mastery: S.A.T. Format Components of Effective Writing Clearly Mostly Moderately Somewhat Minimal Not No consistent 1 (Based on The Six Traits for Writing) Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Evident Response assessment 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Ideas/ Expository/Informative Writing: of students’ Content Begins with a thesis that introduces a topic. skills across Develops the topic with relevant, well chosen facts, disciplines. definitions, concrete details, 2 quotations, other information, and/or examples. Organization Includes a clear organizational pattern (definition, classification, cause-and-effect, problem- 3 solution, question-answer, etc.). Includes an introduction, Criteria aligns with Common conclusion, and smooth transitions. Maintains a tone that is consistent Core State Standards for Voice 4 with the topic, purpose, and audience. expository writing. Word Choice Uses precise words and phrases 5 that are appropriate for the topic, Provides purpose, and audience. Uses a variety of sentence structure opportunities 6 Sentence Fluency and length that creates a natural flow or rhythm. for students to Conventions Demonstrates proper grammar, evaluate (Mechanics) usage, and mechanics (spelling and punctuation). themselves and Check One: □ Self □ Peer □ Teacher peers. assessTrax Grading Conversion Scale: 1-12= 1 Point 13-24 = 2 Points 25-36 = 3 Points Provides a conversion scale for use in scoring SCA’s and BMA’s.
- 12. What is the Idea Trait? Writers work with ideas when they: • Select a topic or idea • Narrow the idea (focus) • Elaborate on the idea (development) • Discover the best information to convey the idea (details)
- 13. What is the organization trait? Writers attend to organization when they plan how to arrange their ideas: • Plan strong beginnings and endings • Use an appropriate organizational structure • Include thoughtful transitions • Use good pacing
- 14. What is the Voice Trait? Writers address voice when they consider the following components: • Individuality • Perspective • Expressiveness • Sensitivity to audience • Enthusiasm for a topic • Confidence
- 15. What is the Word Choice Trait? Writers attend to word choice when they considering the following: • Clear, thoughtful selection of “just right” words • Precise, not weighed down with adjectives and adverbs • Colorful, conveys meaning, attitude and mood • Strong verbs give writing energy
- 16. What is the Sentence Fluency Trait? A writer attends to sentence fluency when they consider the following: • Rhythm and flow of sentences • Text is easy and pleasurable to read • Text is able to be read aloud with expression • Variety in both sentence length and structure
- 17. What is the Conventions Trait? When writers address conventions they are considering the following components: • Spelling • Punctuation • Capitalization • Grammar and usage