Technical Reading and Writing …a Partnership

Created and Adapted by J. Krajeck w/ thanks to WVDE2014

http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Career-Tech

Nelson Mandela…

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to

change the world [our community].

This Job Is NOT a Joke!

Who is a Game-Day Ready teacher?

• https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/share-common-core-with-students (2 min.)

• (Teaching Channel does NOT allow downloads of their videos…must hyperlink.)

• Teacher Katie Novak says…

Game-Day Ready?

• Know your professional goal.• Know your work, materials, ideas, background.• Know the Playbook, i.e., ONLS.• Be ready to make an impression.• Be consistent.

The Game-Day Ready Teacher…

The Game-Day Ready Teacher…

Knows the subject standards, including ALL vocabulary/terms

• Know the Shared Literacy components from ONLS• Know the Teacher Quality Review Rubric• Know the basic "shifts" in the ONLS • Know the importance of Tier 2 “Power” academic

vocabulary

• Know the # 1 Goal: Student as an Independent Learner

We Can NO Longer Be “Helicopter” Teachers!

Game-Day Ready for Students

Game Day Ready

Legible

Attention to Prompt

Details

Literate On Time

Shall We Agree?

• Students will WRITE in every class, every day!• Technical Writing begins here…• https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/

pre-k-reading-writing-tip?utm_campaign=digest&utm_medium=email&utm_source=digest

  

More Game-Day Ready

Tech Writing also means…• Writing will be organized into a notebook or online notes.• Writing/typing will be legible, following Standard

Writing Conventions of the Common Core/ONLS.• * All conventions are mastered by Grade 8.• * ALL professionals are required to be ACCURATE

in their work place.

Let’s begin…united as a school and department!

• Do we act like divorced parents?• …or do we “hang together” like

John Hancock?

Essential Questions

• How does technical READING and WRITING in school prepare students for adult living, learning, and work settings?

• How does technical reading/writing compare to academic writing?

• How does technical reading/writing reflect 21st century learning and engage 21st century learners?

American Diploma Project (ADP)

Schools need to train students to “communicate essential information effectively via email, write proposals

to obtain new business, communicate key instructions to colleagues, or convey policies to

customers .”

Academic vs. Technical?

• Technical writing has little room for revision/editing.

• Academic writing is based on the premise of revision/editing.

Technical writing is a natural partner to academic writing. It is

descriptive, creative, and expository, but the format is

different and the standards are higher.

Technical writing requires 100% accuracy.

Academic Writing Technical Writing

Descriptive Writing Job Description, Incident Report, Résumé, Process Explanation

Narrative Writing Observation Report, Progress Report

Analysis Performance Evaluation, Feasibility Report

Cause and Effect Analytical Report, Product Field Test Report

Compare-Contrast Product Comparison, Feasibility Report

Persuasive Writing Proposal, Action Plan

Examples of Technical Writing:• Action Plans• Advertisement• Agenda• Audit Report• Book Review• Brochure• Budget• Business Letter• Business Plan• Catalog• Contract• Critique• Data Book or Display

• Description• Diagram, Chart, or Graph• Editorial• Email• Feasibility Report• Field Test Report• Incident Report• Informational Form• Informational Poster• Informative Summary• Instructions• Interview Questions• Itinerary

Examples of Technical Writing:• Job Application• Job Description• Lesson Plan• Letter of Inquiry• Letter of Recommendation• Magazine/Newspaper Article• Marketing Plan• Memo• Meeting Minutes• Newsletter• Observation Report• Performance Evaluations• Persuasive Proposal• Position Paper

• Product Comparison• Proposal• Questionnaire • Research Report• Résumé/Portfolio• Scientific Paper/Report• Survey• Test• Transcription• Training Manual• Travel Guide• Web Page• Work Order

How Do I Use Technical Writing in My Content Area?

Course Technical WritingConsumer Math Action Plan, Budget

General Math Statistics Project: Survey, Action Plan, Progress Report

Algebra II Process Explanation, Observation Report, Field Test Report, Letter of Request, Action Plan, Oral Presentation

Mathematics

Course Technical WritingBiology I Observation Report, Field Test Report, Letter of

Inquiry, Brochure, Action Plan, Progress Report, Process Explanation, Incident Report, Safety Guidelines

Physical Science Process Explanation, Technical Instructions, Product Description, Incident Report, Observation Report

Inquiry Brochure on Ecosystem, Action Plan

Greenhouse Manual, Brochure

How Do I Use Technical Writing in My Content Area?

Science

Course Technical WritingAmerican History Itinerary, Progress Report, Cost Analysis, Letter of

Inquiry, Brochure, Oral Presentation, Business Plan, Financial Statement, News Release

U. S. Government Letter of Inquiry regarding Legislation, Feasibility Report, Persuasive Letter

Criminology Incident Report

How Do I Use Technical Writing in My Content Area?

Social Studies

Course Technical WritingEnglish, College Prep

Analysis of Technical Writing, Oral Presentation, Brochure, News Release

English Chart, Graph, Table, Letter of Request, Action Plan, Progress Report, Persuasive Letter, Process Explanation

Creative Writing Incident Report, Progress Report

How Do I Use Technical Writing in My Content Area?

English Language Arts

Course Technical WritingAerobics Action Plan, Graph, Chart, Observation Report,

Letter of Request, Product Description, Product Comparison, Process Explanation

Health Observation Report, Survey, Letter of Inquiry, Interview, Brochure, Action Plan, Progress Report, Persuasive Letter

How Do I Use Technical Writing in My Content Area?

Health/Physical Education

Phys Ed vs. Lebron

• https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/lebron-asks-subject/lebron-asks/v/lebron-asks---what-muscles-do-we-use-when-shooting-a-basket?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Stuff%20You%20Might%20Like%20Testing%20Send%2095&utm_campaign=Highlighted%20Content%20Wk%201%20Ph%202%20Green&utm_content=A

Course Technical WritingMusic Observation Report, Letter of Request, Letter of

Inquiry, Brochure, Agenda, Program, Website, Flyer, Marketing Plan

Art Action Plan, Process Explanation, Observation Report, Technical Instructions, Evaluation, Interview, Website, Marketing Plan, Progress Report

How Do I Use Technical Writing in My Content Area?

Visual and Performing Arts

Cluster Technical Writing

Health Services Observation Report, Survey, Letter of Inquiry, Interview, Brochure, Action Plan, Progress Report, Persuasive Letter, Patient Charting, Journal, Research, Transcription

Human Services Action Plan, Process Explanation, Observation Report, Instructions, Evaluation, Interview, Website, Progress Report, Advertisement, Proposal, Critique, Review, Business Letter, Proposal, Job Application

Science/Natural Resources

Observation Report, Brochure, Proposal, Training Manual, Newsletter, Progress Report, Budget Plan, Data Report, Research, Website

How Do I Use Technical Writing inMy Content Area?

Career & Technical Education

How DO I Assess Technical Writing?

100% Accuracy is Expected.

Expect Game-Day Literacy

Common Errors to Avoid When Writing Mathematics

• The most common errors fall into the following categories:

Some of the above come from: “Writing Mathematics”[Berry] and some from “Course: Description for Math 248 at The University of Illinois” [Grayson].

Assessment for All…

• not answering the question

• incorrect English

• incorrect mathematics (or other subject domains)

• hard-to-read format

• use of pronouns such as it [you]

Writing Mathematics”[Berry] and some from “Course

Description for Math 248 at The University of Illinois” [Grayson].

• using the same symbol for different quantities

• too many words and too few symbols, or vice versa

• leaving too little space for possible corrections

Range and content use

…students MUST gain control over many conventions of STANDARD English GRAMMAR, usage, and mechanics as well as learn other ways to convey meanings EFFECTIVELY. (ODE 2012)

Standard English K

• Upper/lower case letters• Forming plural nouns• Correct use of basic prepositions• Produce AND expand complete sentences• Correct use of 1st person “I”• Recognize and name end punctuation

Standard English Gr. 1 (con’t)

• Capitalize dates and names of people• Use END punctuation• Use commas in dates and to separate single

words in a series• Use conventional spelling for words

regular/irregular

Expect Excellence!

• Infusing workplace skills and standards into traditional courses raises expectations and gives students an opportunity to excel.

Begin Info Reading

• Selected Informational Texts

The Four Sentence Précis for Technical Writers

1. Read the article, CIRCLE Tier 3 words; UNDERLINE Tier 2 words.

2. HIGHLIGHT the TITLE of the article, the AUTHOR, and the DATE of PUBLICATION.

3. Hint: Tier 2 words = POWER words

4. Tier 3 words = Technical words for your career field

Math Informational Reading

• Dr. Kevin Lee, is a mathematics professor at Purdue Calumet University (2006).

• He is an advocate of writing in the field of math.

Student as Independent Learner

Always give the student an “independent” task first, before scaffolding. This encourages the student to work independently, not “brainsuck” from the instructor.

Step 1: The Technical Précis Response

• Give students a Technical Précis Template:

4 Sentence Tech Summary…the Précis

Create a sentence as follows:

• 1. Name of author, a phrase describing author, genre (type of reading) and title of work, publication date in parentheses; an action verb (such as "asserts," "argues," "suggests," "implies," "claims,”); and a THAT clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work.

 

Exchange with Partner

• Create ONE Game-Day Ready sentence using the template.

• Exchange sentences with a partner for proofreading for Game-Day Ready literacy.

Sentence 1 of 4

• 1. Dr. Kevin Lee, a mathematics professor at Purdue, in his article, “A Guide to Writing Mathematics (2006) requires his college math students to use good writing practices.

• (HIGHLIGHT the author name, year of publication.)• Hand in as Game-Day Ready. (formative assessment)

2 of 4 Sentence Tech Summary…the Précis

• 2. Author's last name) __________________ supports this assertion by showing (offering, using, citing, challenging, etc.) examples of_____________________________________ .

Sentence 2 of 4

2. Lee supports his views by citing examples of how correct writing helps math student because math cannot just be expressed in numbers and formulas.

• (HIGHLIGHT the present tense Action Verb in this sentence.)

• Check with your partner.

3 of 4 Sentence Tech Summary…the Précis

• 3. (His/Her) purpose is to ___________________________ in order to _______________.

Sentence 3 of 4

• 3. His purpose is to teach his college math students the correct ways to write in math class so that they can improve their knowledge and understanding of mathematics.

• (HIGHLIGHT specific detail [evidence] from the article that supports this sentence.)

4 of 4 Sentence Summary…the Précis

• 4. (Writer's last name) establishes a/ an _______________ connection with his/her audience of ____________who ________________________ .

Sentence 4 of 4

• 4. Lee suggests that being able to explain math concepts in writing will help future employers to understand my thinking processes, even in other fields.

• Check ALL 4 sentences with a partner to make sure this response is Game-Day Ready.

• * Remember that Technical Writing should be 100% accurate!

Keys to Technical/Informational Reading

• ONLS states that students in high school should be reading Informational Text 70% during the school day.

• Students will do this Informational Reading in ALL subject areas.

• Use Informational Reading to expose/expand students to a variety of career experiences, government challenges, or updates in their fields.

Assess these 4 sentences?

Game-Day Ready for Students

Game Day Ready

Legible

Attention to Prompt

Details

Literate

On Time

CCR…College Career Ready from ODE ONLS

• Why do Career Tech students need the skill of Informational Reading and Writing?

What opportunities do you give your students to

read/write?

School, community?

What is Technical Reading and Writing?

Students Require Exposure to Information

• Business • Workplace• Professional • Informational

What’s the End Game?

• Students AND parents NEED copies of the standards!

• Let the students know what the standards say…EXACTLY…No “dummy down.” Stick with the Tier 2 and Tier 3 words of the ONLS.

What Does Research Say?

What employers say…

• 1/3 of the employees in America’s top companies are poorly trained in reading and writing and cannot compose [or read/understand] a coherent business response.

• (National Commission on Writing)

• Conscientious employers are retraining employees to [read] write in the workplace.

SCANS Report • Three-Part Foundation needed on the job

• Basic Skills (reads, writes, performs mathematical operations, listens and speaks)

• Thinking Skills (Thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes, knows how to learn, and reasons)

• Personal Qualities (Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity and honesty)

SCANS Report • Five Workplace Competencies

• Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans and allocates resources

• Interpersonal: Works with others

• Information: Acquires and uses information

• Systems: Understands complex interrelationships

• Technology: Works with a variety of technologies

Expand Technical Reading

• Give Career Tech students weekly Informational Reading about the work environment, government changes within their field, data on wages, benefits, opportunities for advancement, or current events that may affect their career field.

Sources for Career Tech

ODE website: • http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Career-Tech

• Current informational reading site:• http://newsela.com (Free site, just register)

• Newspaper link for informational reading/lesson plans• http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/

Research also says…

• Students from lower economic environments need EXPOSURE to Tier 2 vocabulary and similar READING and WRITING opportunities in order to advance in their training fields. (Sprenger 2013)

Close Reading…the SOAP

• Many Career Tech students are not exposed to grade-level, appropriate Informational Reading; thus, they are usually below grade level for reading.

Using SOAP Technique for Independence

• S = SUBJECT of the text.• O =OCCASION for which the text was created.• A= AUDIENCE for whom the text was written.• P = PURPOSE of the text.

S - Subject

• 1. Re-read your article and choose FIVE words that describe the SUBJECT of the article.

• 2. Share your FIVE word choices with your partner. Agree? Disagree?

Cite Evidence…

• Now, HIGHLIGHT the words in the article that PROVE that you have chosen FIVE good words that really describe the SUBJECT of this article.

• Share your EVIDENCE.

Occasion…What occurred?

• Writers create responses to fit a need in the world or community. What OCCURRED to cause the author to choose to write about his/her topic?

• With your partner, cite EVIDENCE to support this.

Audience…Who Should Care?

• Music, TV ads, books, video games…are ALL created with a specific AUDIENCE in mind…for example, who would purchase or upload the “Flappy Birds” APP vs. “Candy Crush”?

• Who is the AUDIENCE for this article? • With your partner, HIGHLIGHT/CITE the EVIDENCE

to support your decision about AUDIENCE.

Purpose: What action does the writer want YOU to take?

• We do everything for a purpose/reason. Most of us want to persuade or convince others to follow our lead.

• With your partner, create a TWEET (no more than 140 characters) that explains the PURPOSE of this article.

# math nerds

Select the hash tag (#)

• Your TWEET needs a #...with your partner, create a # that would signal who may want to read your TWEET.

• Example: # Raise our wages! Or # math nerds!

How does the Précis and SOAP assist Career Tech students?

SCANS Report • Three-Part Foundation needed on the job

• Basic Skills (reads, writes, performs mathematical operations, listens and speaks)

• Thinking Skills (Thinks creatively, makes decisions, solves problems, visualizes, knows how to learn, and reasons)

• Personal Qualities (Displays responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity and honesty)

What does all this mean?

ALL teachers must help students become better technical writers so that they will be prepared for the writing they will have to do as successful adults in the workplace.

The Future of Writing…

Electronic Portfolios..the END Game!

http://soedersportfolio.weebly.com/index.htmlOr…if we want to “fake” it…

http://www.classtools.net/FB/home-page

One Final Thought…

What’s in My Backpack?• Athletes as mentors

• Visit the classrooms…read, share, write!