Writing Across the Curriculum

Writing Across the CurriculumDeKalb High/Middle School

Do you use writing in your classroom?

Common Core StandardsStandards developed for K-12 in Math and English Language Arts (ELA)Forty-five states have adopted these standardsMissouri has adopted; plan to implement 2014-2015 school year

(National Governors Assoc. for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010)

Common Core StandardsELA standards include Literature & informational textFoundational skillsWriting skillsSpeaking & Listening SkillsLanguage Skills

(National Governors Assoc. for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010)

Common Core StandardsELA standards also include literacy inScienceSocial StudiesHistoryTechnical Subjects

(National Governors Assoc. for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010)

How can we prepare our students for the Common Core?

Writing Across the Curriculum

What is WAC?Learning to Write

Writing to Learn

In ALL disciplines

(McLeod, 1987; McLeod & Maimon, 2000)

Benefits of WACProvides students with writing practiceGreat learning tool for studentsWorks on students critical thinking skillsShows students learning, thought-processes, and misunderstandings

(McLeod, 1987; McLeod & Maimon, 2000)

Fears vs. SolutionsFearsLack of expertise

Take time away from own content to teach writing

More grading

Evaluation processes

SolutionsDon't focus on grammarWrite along with studentsCollaborate with teachersStagger big writing assignmentsSmall writing assignments just as beneficial as big onesEvaluate only one-two elements of writingDont grade everything!

(Borchers, 2001; Fincke, 1982; Graham, Gillespie, & McKeown, 2012; Graves, 1995; Gribbin, 1991; Kinloch, 2009)

What are some ways you can incorporate more writing into your classroom?

Some StrategiesJournals/Diaries/LogsWrite for a Real AudienceWrite DailyFreewriting/Focused Freewriting(See Handout for More)

(Jacobs, 2002; Moss 1991)

Teachers ShouldModel WritingProvide Expectations ClearlyProvide Feedback/ConferenceFocus Less on Conventions

(Borchers, 2001; Fincke, 1982; Graham, Gillespie, & McKeown, 2012; Graves, 1995; Gribbin, 1991; Kinloch, 2009; Moss, 1991)

BibliographyBorchers, D. L. (2001). Writing across the curriculum: A simple approach to correcting. New England Reading Association Journal, 37(2), 11-13.Fincke, G. (1982). Writing across the curriculum in high school. The Clearing House, 56(2), 71-73.Graham, S., Gillespie, A., & McKeown, D. (2012). Writing: importance, development, and instruction. Reading and Writing, 26(1), 1-15.Graves, D. H. (1995). Be a better writing teacher. Education Digest, 60(9), 57-60.Gribbin, W. G. (1991). Writing across the curriculum: Assignments and evaluations. The Clearning House, 64(6), 365-368.Jacobs, V. A. (2002). Reading, writing, and understanding. Educational Leadership, 60(3), 58-61.

BibliographyKinloch, V. (2009). Innovative writing instruction. The English Journal, 98(5), 103-107.Maimon, S. M. (2000). Clearing the air: WAC myths and realities. College English, 62(5), 573-583.McLeod, S. (1987). Defining writing across the curriculum. WPA: Writing Program Administration, 11(1-2), 19-24.Moss, B. (1991). Promoting reading and writing in the middle-grade content-area classroom. The Clearing House, 65(1), 11-13.National Governors Association for Best Practices, C. o. (2010). Common core standards. Washington, D.C.: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices & Council of Chief State School Officers. Retrieved from Common core state standards initiative.