Using WTL tools

Last year I started having 8th graders draw their own pictures of measurement equivalents to learn them in 8th grade FACS. They are allowed to use the liquid measuring cups and a package of margarine etc to help them. We also resurrect from 2nd grade the big G with 4 Qs and 2 P with 2 Cs. It helps them especially once they realize they will not continue to cook until they really learn it. Some will remember right away, but even the hands on drawing and reading the cup or package for understanding is just mindless copying for some until it is the password to the fun activity.

I also want to try having students draw situations or symbols that bring to mind examples of Physical, Mental and Social health activities next to their written description. Some of them struggle to distinguish between mental and social. (We have thrown in spiritual health just to acknowledge that some people have active spiritual lives, separate from religion.) We could brainstorm and have everyone draw their own examples or symbols.

The writing break activity I think I will use during certain videos that we watch instead of having them write a response sheet at the end and instead of me stopping the video to discuss it.
Evenutally, they would have opportunity to share in small groups and then share as a big group. Is there time? I suppose if I'm not talking so much, then there is more time.

Chapter Three "Quick Writes: Easy Writing-to-Learn Strategies"

Writing breaks, exit slip, admit slip, brainstorming, drawing and illustrating, clustering, mapping... All featured in this section.  Any experiences you have had with these strategies that you would like to share?  How might you incorporate these writing strategies within your own classroom?

We are a community of learners and explorers--really we are scientists testing the waters--how might we learn from one another?

Content-Area Writing Reflecting on Chapters 1 and 2

The greatest potential we have as educators is collaborating with one another.  As we progress through our course, we need to plan on sharing our thoughts and reflections with one another both in class an through our own writing.  Though this is not a platform required for our course, sharing our insights on this blog will help foster that community of collaboration among us.

That said, for each week's reading I will be creating a post that encourages you to share what your are thinking as a result of your reading.  This is a space for us to practice our own Writing to Learn (WTL).

Reflect on the reading as you would in your journal... It's your thoughts that will help make meaning of this text.