Guidance for Developing On-Demand Prompts
KASC has analyzed the ten prompts released by KDE to find consistency in the structure of the writing task and wording. Based on our interpretation of the released items, we have created basic templates to help teachers develop On-Demand prompts. Remember, the key to student achievement is to provide quality writing instruction based on the standards, not to practice prompts. On-Demand is an assessment tool and not a mode of writing.
o For passage-based prompts, select grade level passage(s) appropriate in Lexile, length, and content.o Write a situation that provides a context for the writing task. Be sure the situation includes the purpose and audience. Think of situations currently affecting your students and school community.
o Use a template below to create a situation.
Informative/Explanatory Situation Templates
Passage-Based
Write an article/speech/explanation/ _____(other form) for ______(publication) about/to explain ______. Include information about ______(from passage).
Optional: Describe ______(from passage)
When given a passage with choices, ask students to:
Decide which______is ______. Write an explanation for ______(publication) about ______(from passage or personal experience). Support your choice logically and effectively.
Stand Alone
Write an article/speech/explanation for ______(publication) about/to explain ______. Optional: Include information about ______(from table; stand alones can still include something short to read such as a table or just knowledge that kids have about a subject).
Opinion (K-5) Situation Templates
Decide ______(choose a side/determine your opinion). Write an email/letter/______(other form) to ______(audience) giving your opinion about ______(agree/disagree; necessary/not; positive/negative). Use specific details to support your opinion.
For passage based: Use information/details from the passage to support your opinion.
Argumentative (6-12) Situation Templates
Write a letter/email/article/commentary/essay/speech______(other form) for/to ______(audience and/or publication). Present an argument as to whether or not ______. Provide reasons and details to support your argument.
Passage based: Use information from the passage to support your plan/idea/other.
Narrative Situation Templates
Think about what it would be like to______. Write a narrative for ______(audience and/or form)
See the following pages for sample prompts.
Middle School Stand Alone Prompts
Informative/Explanatory
Writing situation:Animals have the same five senses as humans. However, sometimes these senses are highly developed and become valuable “super senses.”
Writing directions:
Write a speech for the school’s science club to explain how one animal’s special sense helps it deal with its environment. Include information from the table and your own ideas in your speech.
KDE Released K-PREP Item for 8th Grade
Writing situation:
As families consider moving to your district, the parents and students like to tour the school and ask questions about the classes offered in the school. Your principal would like to have testimonials from current students about the best classes and programs the school has to offer.
Writing directions:
Write an essay to be included in an informational booklet about the school. Explain the best class or program you feel has benefitted you at the school.
Argumentative
Writing situation:Have you ever sat in class debating on whether or not you should ask to go to the restroom? Because of recent misbehavior the principal has made a rule that students cannot go to the restroom during class.
Writing directions:
Decide whether you agree or disagree with the new rule that students may not go to the restroom during classes. Write an email to the principal presenting your argument on the rule and whether you believe it is necessary or not. Use specific details to support your argument.
Writing situation:
Your principal has recently decided that after 6th period you are not allowed to go to your lockers. This decision was made after seeing the large numbers of fights, misbehavior, and congestion.
Writing directions:
Decide whether you agree or disagree with the principal’s new rule. Write an editorial for the school newspaper presenting an argument whether to abolish or continue the action. Provide reasons to support your argument.
Writing situation:
There is much debate over the use of cellphones as educational tools. There are teachers, parents, and students for it because of the multiple apps and internet connections available now. Others say they are a distraction to learning and should be kept out of the classroom. The SBDM Council at your school is going to develop a technology use policy that determines whether teachers can have students use cellphones or not in instruction.
Writing directions:
Write a letter to the SBDM Council to present an argument as to whether or not cellphones should be used as an educational tool or whether they will be too much of a distraction. Provide reasons to support your argument.
For more topics suitable for opinion pieces see the following links:
http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/301-prompts-for-argumentative-writing/?emc=edit_ln_20150205&nl=learning&nlid=26617882&_r=0
www.procon.org
Narrative
Writing situation:A school district has a new middle school. On the first day, the students realize that they are the first people to sit in the desks, use the books in the library, walk in the halls, and set the traditions for all of the students who will attend for years and years to come. One of the teachers suggests that everyone write about his or her first day in the school. The students’ narratives will be compiled in a book and placed in the library for the students who attend after them to read.
Writing directions:
Think about what it would be like to be the first to attend a newly build school. Write a narrative for the book, and tell about that first day. Describe what you do, see, and feel throughout the day.
KDE Released K-PREP Item for 6th Grade
Writing situation:
Students at Melrose Middle School are given a code of conduct booklet at the beginning of each school year and teachers take the time to go over the rules and consequences with their students. Think of a time when a fellow student broke a rule but was not disciplined according to the rules.
Writing directions:
Write an editorial to the editor in the school paper discussing the consistency or inconsistency of how discipline is handled at MMS, including your narrative of as an example to support your view.