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09 Publishing and Portfolios

Page
065
from
Write on Course 20-20

Publishing and Portfolios Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

Ask students to explain this idea: Publishing is to writers what live performances are to a musicians and exhibits are to artists. (Possible response: Musicians and artists work hard on their pieces because they know that the public will hear or view them. In the same way, writers put forth their best effort when they publish their work. Publishing makes all of the effort worthwhile.)

Then have a volunteer read the introduction aloud. Ask students to share their most memorable publishing/sharing experience.

Think About It

“You learn ways to improve your writing by seeing its effect on others.”

—Tom Liner

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.6

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.6.W.2.6

LAFS.7.W.2.6

LAFS.8.W.2.6

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.22.b.10.E

110.23.b.10.E

110.24.b.10.E

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 066 from Write on Course 20-20

Quick Guide: Publishing

Review this quick guide to the publishing process. Point out to students that when they publish a piece of writing they are presenting an end product, so it should be as clear, correct, and neat as they can make it. “Links to the Traits” at the bottom of the page asks key questions that students should ask themselves before they publish their work.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
CreatingWriting
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 067 from Write on Course 20-20

Presenting Your Writing

Carefully review the guidelines on this page, which focus on the design of academic writing. Then display for students a colorful, eye-catching article reflecting pop culture and discuss its main design features (bright colors, creative fonts, chunks of copy wrapped around graphics, etc.). Then display an article from a traditional newspaper or news magazine and discuss its main features (black on white copy; conservative, eye-ready fonts; straight columns of text; etc.)

Point out that the design of the students’ academic writing should align with the design of traditional news publications. Have students turn to the essays and reports in Write on Course 20-20, including the text on the next two pages, for examples of effective academic design.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 068 from Write on Course 20-20

Effective Design in Action

Review with students the well-designed student essay on these two pages. Point out that this essay contains more design elements than are usually found in a short article or essay. In a longer essay or research report, these elements would be more spread out.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
Writing
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 070 from Write on Course 20-20

Creating a Portfolio

Read aloud and discuss page 70, which reviews the different types of portfolios. During your discussion, ask students to share their past experiences with portfolios. Consider implementing this activity related to showcase and growth portfolios:

Ask students what type of portfolio would contain these items:

  • A short paragraph called “My Trip” that contains very little detail
  • A poem about a cat that contains examples of colorful language
  • A mystery story with a character that is easy to picture
  • An example of research collected for a report in progress

Answer: growth portfolio

And what type of portfolio would contain these items:

  • A research paper about the history of the writer’s town
  • A resume he plans to use to get a job doing yard work
  • A book review that was published in the school paper
  • A science fiction short story

Answer: showcase portfolio

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 071 from Write on Course 20-20

Assembling the Parts of a Portfolio

Discuss the common parts of a showcase portfolio. Point out that following the teacher’s requirements and keeping on schedule are two keys to producing an effective portfolio. If possible, share with students examples of portfolios from students from past years.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 072 from Write on Course 20-20

Portfolio Pages

These two pages show two parts of a showcase portfolio, an opening letter and a cover sheet for a piece of writing. Have a volunteer read the opening letter on page 72 aloud. Then discuss the text using the side notes as a guide. Note how this writer’s thoughts show a deep connection with his writing in the class.

Have another volunteer read the cover letter on page 73, and discuss the text using the side notes as a guide. Note again how thoughtfully the writer introduces the piece of writing.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 074 from Write on Course 20-20

Publishing Ideas

Review the publishing ideas listed on page 74. Have students list the different types of publishing they have tried. Ask for volunteers to share their lists (including a description of writing they submitted). Then have them list two or three other types of publishing they would like to try.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
WritingPublishing

Page 075 from Write on Course 20-20

Sending Out Your Writing

The questions and answers on this page cover the basic information about sending out writing. Ask one student to read the questions and another student to read each answer. If possible, share a copy of Writer’s Market (print or online) with your students. (Check with your librarian for a print version of this resource.) Also, consider inviting a professional author to share his or her publishing experiences.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
CreatingWriting
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing

Page 076 from Write on Course 20-20

Publishing Online

The questions and answers on this page cover the basic information about publishing online. Ask one student to read the questions and another student to read each answer.  

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
PublishingWriting Process

Page 077 from Write on Course 20-20

Publishing in a Blog

Review with students the publishing tips and sample blog posting on this page. (The word blog is short for Web log.) Also review pages 142–143 for a sample blog entry and writing guidelines.

Point out that on many blogs visitors can leave comments or questions about posts, and the author can reply. Instruct students to be polite, clear, and safe whenever they make comments. They should never post personal information on a blog.  

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.6.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.22.b.10.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 6.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8
Mode:
Writing Basics
21st Century Skills:
WritingCreating
English Language Arts:
Writing ProcessPublishing