Summit Elementary
Writing/Communication Plan
August 2011
This writing/communication plan is written in response to SB1 requirements, the new Kentucky Core Academic standards for English/Language Arts & Literacy, and the writing program review guidelines. The overall aim is to help students develop complex communication skills to serve them in their lives.
All students at all grade levels will produce a collection of writing/communication to be kept in a pass-on portfolio. Student writing will be kept in the Student Writing Portfolio (pass-on) for two years at all grade levels. After two years, the writing will be returned to the student.
*The three text types called for in all grade levels of the new Common Core Standards for Literacy are:
Narrative(organized through a time sequence, develop real or imagined experiences or events)
Informative/explanatory (provide information and ideas to help readers/audiences understand something)
Persuasive/argumentative (convince or persuade the reader or audience to accept the writer’s opinion by using valid reasons and relevant evidence)
*All of the three text types may be done in all of the three types of writing.
Types of Writing for Pass On Portfolios- All grade levels
Writing to Learn
Examples: exit slips, any learning logs, math log, science journal, reflections, quick writes, reading responses, KWL charts, graphic, organizers, annotated diagrams, writings to develop a skill or practice a technique, independent or collaborative work for a task, writing through technology, pictures and drawings to convey ideas and information
Writing to Demonstrate Learning
Examples: constructed responses, open response, any writing for formative or summative assessment, answers to test questions, summaries, lab reports, time-lines, products for an assigned task, reports
Page 2
Writing to Publish for Realistic/authentic Purposes and Audiences
Examples: draw-write, letters, articles, speeches, personal narratives, poems, multi-media presentations, exhibits, proposals, memoirs, short
stories (myths, tall tales, animal stories, realistic stories, folk tales, etc.) poems, plays, how-tos, reviews, debates
On Demand Writing
Include student samples from beginning of year and end of year that were constructed by each grade level in PLC.
Speaking and Listening
(class or group discussions, evaluations, listening and speaking in group work, responding to a speaker or media production, presentations, show and tells, answering questions orally, oral descriptions, using visuals, pictures, and charts to present information orally, oral storytelling, oral summaries, speeches, debates, commercials, author’s chair, introductions, drama, skits or plays)
*Senate Bill and new Core Standards for Literacy also calls for
- ongoingfeedback from teachers or peers to students.
- includingresearch and use of media/technology at all grade levels.
- Some writing/communication from contentareas
- Writing/communication done in short time frames
- Writing/communication done over time with revision, editing, reflecting, publishing
- Student reflection and self-assessment
- Instruction and experience to help student speak and listen effectively, and to understand and use language correctly and effectively
Indicate oral text(o), research-based (rb), Content area (c), done w/technology (t)
Use a variety of text types (narratives, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative)
Kindergarten
**Write/communicate for a variety of authentic purposes and audiences
Required Pieces
Narrative –
Students will draw a picture of a special event that occurred over summer break. After completing their pictures, the students will share their experiences with the class. (o)
Students will present an item to share with the class when they are chosen to be the “Terrific Kid”.
They will describe where and how they got the item and why they like it. (o)
Informative/Explanatory
Students will draw and label a picture showing the 4 main parts of a plant. (C)
Students will draw/write a series of pictures to explain how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Students will present their work to the class. (o)
Opinion/Argumentative
As a collaborative group, students will create a class book titled “All About Me.” Each step of the writing process will be introduced and initiated throughout the creation of this book.
As a collaborative group, students will create a class book titled “When I Grow Up.” (T)
On Demand Prompt (given at beginning and end of year)
Some children like cats. Some children like hamsters or fish. Write about what animal you like and why you like it.
**Examples of writing to learn chosen by teacher/student
**Examples of writing to demonstrate learning chosen by teacher/student
**Required speaking/listening experiences
Students will share experiences and personal stories with their classmates and in turn listen attentively while others are sharing. (O)
**Main technology/media used
Ladibug Visual Presenter
Bright Link
Audio/Visual devices to record presentations
Indicate oral text(o), research-based (rb), Content area (c), done w/technology (t)
Use a variety of text types (narratives, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative)
First Grade
**Write/communicate for a variety of authentic purposes and audiences
Required Pieces
Narrative –
Conferenced personal narrative about an important event (O)
Memoir (O)
Informative/Explanatory
Benjamin Franklin Report (RB, C)
Animal Feature Article (RB, C)
Opinion/Argumentative
Sports Persuasive Writing (C,O)
Recycling persuasive Writing (C)
On Demand Prompt (given at beginning and end of year)
Some children like to play ball. Some children like to ride bikes or jump rope. What do you like to do?
**Examples of writing to learn chosen by teacher/student
**Examples of writing to demonstrate learning chosen by teacher/student
**Required speaking/listening experiences
Share writing pieces with classmates.
**Main technology/media used
Research on computer
Type reports
Elmo/Ladibug
Interactive whiteboard
Indicate oral text(o), research-based (rb), Content area (c), done w/technology (t)
Use a variety of text types (narratives, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative)
Second Grade
**Write/communicate for a variety of authentic purposes and audiences
Required Pieces
Narrative –
Summer Vacation Memory (c)
Treasured Winter break memory or event (c)
Informative/Explanatory
How to Cook a Turkey (T RB O)
Student timeline of life experiences (C O RB T)
Opinion/Argumentative
Email for a recycling program (T RB C)
Letter to Santa explaining good citizenship (C T)
On Demand Prompt (given at beginning and end of year)
*Citizenship and Rules C
Cultural Elements C
**Examples of writing to learn chosen by teacher/student
**Examples of writing to demonstrate learning chosen by teacher/student
**Required speaking/listening experiences
Present commercial about recycling
Interview grandparents
Collaborate on lab report, sequence water cycle
Present a book review, diorama of animal hiabitat
Reader’s Theatre
Present personal timeline
Share goals for successful New Year
Explain map of the school building
Description of magnet experiments
Recite a poem
**Main technology/media used
Typing a poem and adding graphics
Record a book
Indicate oral text(o), research-based (rb), Content area (c), done w/technology (t)
Use a variety of text types (narratives, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative)
Third Grade
**Write/communicate for a variety of authentic purposes and audiences
Required Pieces
Narrative –
Personal narrative with dialogue
Write a folktale, fable, or myth
Write poems
Informative/Explanatory
Feature article on animals
Brochure about community
Descriptive paragraph about animals
Opinion/Argumentative
Article about health or safety
Persuasive letter to parents with Christmas wish list
On Demand Prompt (given at beginning and end of year)
Letter to parents about choosing a pet
**Examples of writing to learn chosen by teacher/student
**Examples of writing to demonstrate learning chosen by teacher/student
**Required speaking/listening experiences
Author’s chair
Share writing during relax and review
**Main technology/media used
Qwiki.com for research
Type piece on computer
Indicate oral text(o), research-based (rb), Content area (c), done w/technology (t)
Use a variety of text types (narratives, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative)
Fourth Grade
**Write/communicate for a variety of authentic purposes and audiences
Required Pieces
Narrative – (t)
Personal Narrative and Fictional Narrative first 9 weeks. Choose one of these pieces for the writing process, conferencing, publishing throughout the year.
Informative/Explanatory (RB, C)
Native Americans in Kentucky
Penguins
Famous Americans
Kentucky Power Point
Opinion/Argumentative (O)
Persuasive Letter
Article – Book Review
On Demand Prompt (given at beginning and end of year)
Bullying Letter
**Examples of writing to learn chosen by teacher/student
**Examples of writing to demonstrate learning chosen by teacher/student
**Required speaking/listening experiences (O)
Share published narrative
Share Native American Feature Article
Share book report
Share Power Point
**Main technology/media used
Keyboarding
Research on computer
Using Microsoft Word and Power Point
Ladybug
Smartboard
Indicate oral text(o), research-based (rb), Content area (c), done w/technology (t)
Use a variety of text types (narratives, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative)
Fifth Grade
**Write/communicate for a variety of authentic purposes and audiences
Required Pieces
Narrative –
Something went Wrong – personal narrative (Unit 1)
Memoir (Unit 8)
Informative/Explanatory
Feature Article – Colonial Revolutionary People (Unit 4)
How-to Piece – 4H Demonstration (Unit 9)
Opinion/Argumentative
School issues – Why schools shouldn’t allow electronics/cell phones (Unit 2)
Community issues – recycling (Unit 7)
GT – Letter to the President about a specific law
On Demand Prompt (given at beginning and end of year)
Letter to younger student about responsibilities in the classroom.
**Examples of writing to learn chosen by teacher/student
**Examples of writing to demonstrate learning chosen by teacher/student
**Required speaking/listening experiences
Oral presentation of Colonial/Revolutionary People Feature Article
4-H Presentations
Summit Network News Broadcasters
**Main technology/media used
Published feature article using keyboarding, computer research, Microsoft word
Power Point on famous inventors (Unit 8)