To learn more about Writing to Learn and for more activity ideas, visit the Writing Across Curriculum (WAC) Clearinghouse. Here is a list of Write to Learn activities you'll find at the site. Click the main site or specific strategy to be linked directly!
As I prepare for our staff development workshop on Write to Learn, I've discovered a little Googling tip. If you type in the search line: "Writing to Learn" and then your content area (i.e. Writing to Learn Science), you'll get search results specific to what you teach. Not all results will be exactly what you're looking for, of course, but it will save you the time of sifting through a ton of activities that do not apply to your class.
Write to Learn Workshop
September 21st or 22nd during your IB Commons time
Pre-made template (see below), ½ sheet of paper, raid the recycle bin, rejects from the copy room, leftover single-sided handouts from a past assignment or unit…
Set clear expectations…
Students need to know what the exit cards are being used for. Let them know that you want to know how well they understand what is being taught or difficulties they may be having so you can plan to help them. There are no wrong answers but effort is expected. Student sharing of responses could be a model to build from.
What to do with all these exit slips… Teachers assess the responses on the exit cards in order to provide differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners in the classroom.
Question types can vary…
The questions chosen by the teacher depend on what information or type of response is expected from students. The questions can be varied and target skill development through demonstrations, explanations, understanding, or a reflection of how students feel about their learning success or frustration. Opinions are often requested in exit cards to address personal feelings or perceptions. The questions should be short and only take a few minutes to write (and read) so they become a quick assessment check.
Two types of exit card questions:
A. General open-ended questions 1. Write one thing you learned today. 2. What area gave you the most difficulty today? 3. Something that really helped me in my learning today was .... 4. What connection did you make today that made you say, "AHA! I get it!" 5. Describe how you solved a problem today. 6. Something I still don't understand is ... 7. Write a question you'd like to ask or something you'd like to know more about. 8. What (insert topic/subject area) terms do you clearly understand or have difficulty understanding? 9. Did working with a partner make your work easier or harder. Please explain. 10. In what ways do you see today's lesson connected to your everyday life?
B. Questions targeted towards content
1. Explain one difference between the Old World and New World.
2. Write one example of a modern day reference to Greek Mythology and explain the significance of that reference.
3. In your opinion, what does it mean to be a self-advocate.
4. Tomorrow something is going to change in our lives. Tomorrow there will be no more zeroes. Zero will cease to exit. Will this affect you or not? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Write your opinion.
5. How do you solve a problem best? Do you create a plan or do you just keep trying until some idea clicks. Explain the approach you used and how it helped or didn't help you solve a problem today.
