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01 Understanding Writing

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001
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Write on Course 20-20

Start-Up Activity

Have students think of three of their favorite pieces of their own writing. Then have them write a sentence for each one: In social studies, I wrote a report about. . . . Next, read aloud the introductory text for this chapter. Follow up by having students identify each of the pieces they listed as either revisiting a memory, describing someone or something, creating an imaginary world (story, poem), or sharing information. Discuss how their writing could be considered a type of adventure.

Think About It

“Writing for me is a voyage, an odyssey, a discovery, because I'm never certain of precisely what I will find.”

—Gabriel Fielding

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.4

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.6.W.2.5

LAFS.7.W.2.5

LAFS.8.W.2.5

LAFS.6.W.2.4

LAFS.7.W.2.4

LAFS.8.W.2.4

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.22.b.10.A

110.22.b.10.C

110.22.b.10.D

110.23.b.10.A

110.23.b.10.C

110.23.b.10.D

110.24.b.10.A

110.24.b.10.C

110.24.b.10.D

110.22.b.10.B

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 002 from Write on Course 20-20

Becoming a Student of Writing

Download and distribute this brief writing survey:

I like to write in general.	usually yes	usually no	sometimes
I like to read.	usually yes	usually no	sometimes
I write in a journal.	usually yes	usually no	sometimes
I like to write stories and poems.	usually yes	usually no	sometimes
What word best describes my writing ability right now?	excellent	good	fair
What topics do I like to write about?

Then read and discuss page 2. Have students consider how the descriptors on this page match up with their own approach to writing. Follow up with a discussion of the students’ responses on the writing survey.

Downloads:

Writing Survey

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Mode:

Writing Basics

21st Century Skills:

Writing Communicating

English Language Arts:

Writing Writing Process

Page 003 from Write on Course 20-20

Previewing the Writing Process

Read and discuss the first half of page 3. Point out that approaching writing as a process will help your students do their best work, because it will prevent them from trying to do everything at once. Have students share their experiences with the writing process.

Then discuss “Points to Remember” on this page. Ask for a volunteer to explain Frank McCourt’s quote: “You are your material. You’ll never be bored again [if you truly connect with your writing].” Possible response: A writer can’t help but be part of each writing experience. And writing can be exciting and stimulating if the writer writes about subjects that truly interest him or her. Also ask students if they have ever shared their work with writing peers.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.6.W.2.5

TEKS Standard:

110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.C, 110.22.b.10.D

NE ELA Standard:

LA 6.2.1, LA 6.2.1.a, LA 6.2.1.e, LA 6.2.1.f, LA 6.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

21st Century Skills:

Writing

English Language Arts:

Writing Process Writing

Page 004 from

The Writing Process in Action

Read and discuss pages 4–5. Point out that the graphic at the top of page 4 shows that a writer will often move back and forth between the steps in the process. And take time to turn to the cross-referenced pages. Ask your students questions like these to make sure that they understand the writing process:

During which step do you choose a topic and gather details about it? (prewriting)
Why is a first draft a discovery draft? (It is a first look at a writing idea.)
During which step does a writer focus on rewriting, reordering, adding, or cutting information? (revising)
When does a writer check for revising errors? (during editing)
What are two ways to publish writing? (sharing the writing with peers, including it in a portfolio, submitting it to publications or contests)

Special Challenge: Have students, individually or in pairs, imagine that they are teaching a group of senior citizens about the writing process. (Teachers didn’t talk about writing in this way many years ago.) Have them list five of the most important things the seniors should know. Students can review pages 3–5 for ideas.

State Standard Reference:

LAFS Standard:

LAFS.6.W.2.5

TEKS Standard:

110.22.b.10.A, 110.22.b.10.C, 110.22.b.10.D

NE ELA Standard:

LA 6.2.1, LA 6.2.1.a, LA 6.2.1.e, LA 6.2.1.f, LA 6.2.1.h

Related Resource Tags

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

Level:

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Mode:

Writing Basics

21st Century Skills:

Writing

English Language Arts:

Writing Process Prewriting Writing Revising Editing

Page 006 from Write on Course 20-20

The Writing Situation

Ask for a volunteer to read page 6 aloud. Then present the following writing prompt to students, and ask them to identify its main parts: subject, purpose, audience, and type of writing.

Prompt: Suppose the neighborhood around your school is full of litter. Write a letter to the editor encouraging people to clean things up.

Purpose: to encourage/convince
Audience: people in the neighborhood
Subject: neighborhood litter
Type: letter to the editor

Ask students why it is important to understand the writing situation. (Then their writing will be on target.) Also consider sharing other prompts for analysis.