Actually, until we "caught on" how to teach taking-the-state-writing-assessment, our kids did horrifically! And the better writers they were, it seemed, the worse they did . . . because of the timed element. Our kids had rarely written to prompts, but they NEVER had experienced the paltry time limits. We have 2 consecutive days of 40-minute periods for our fourth graders, and all drafts must be done by then. We had kids who wrote a beautiful first half of something, then the time was up, and of course, they couldn't score well. The games we play. . . .
> >And we could go a little further, maybe. For > > instance, what happens when the processes fall out of balance, for an > > individual? for a class? for a profession? > > You mean like the state writing tests? I have had major disagreements > with > some of the teachers at my school about this. Some believe that you > should > teach the structure and have the kids basically fill in the blanks. If > you > ever look at some of the actual test examples you will see that GOOD > writing > is NOT a key to a good score, but if you follow the format, you can get a > good score. I disagree with the process and say you can teach the format, > but you should also teach how to be personally expressive and write, not > just for a 20 minute test, but for a lifetime. > > If that isn't out of balance, I don't know what is...... > > Unless it's the teachers who teach how to READ for the state test and show > how to find answers, but NOT how to fully comprehend. There are a few > teachers on staff who believe that bilge.... > > Bill > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > -- Kim ------- Kimberlee Hannan Department Chair Sequoia Middle School resno, California 93702 Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't change, kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything, have no regrets.. Life's too short to be anything but happy. [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. _________________________________________________________________ http://liveearth.msn.com _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
