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Step Up to WritingStep Up to WritingA Ladder or a Stool:A Ladder or a Stool:
An Investigation Into The An Investigation Into The ClaimsClaims
Rhonda Bowron, Ph.DRhonda Bowron, Ph.D(334) 670-3852(334) [email protected]@troy.edu
Jan Oliver, Ph.DJan Oliver, Ph.D(334) 670-3369(334) [email protected]@troy.edu
Darrell Pearson, Ph.DDarrell Pearson, Ph.D(334) 670-3357(334) [email protected]@troy.edu
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I.I.Research-BasedResearch-BasedWriting Strategies: Writing Strategies:
An OverviewAn Overview
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Research-Based Research-Based Writing Strategies Writing Strategies 1. “Sentence Writing Strategy”1. “Sentence Writing Strategy”
by Jean Schumaker
2. “Mapping”2. “Mapping” by E.P.M. Simmonds, J.P. Luchow, S. Kaminsky, and V. Cottone
3. “Power”3. “Power”by C.C. Englert, E.E. Raphael, L.M. Anderson, H.M. Anthony, K.L. Fear, and S.L. Gregg
4. “W–W–W, WHAT=2; HOW=2”4. “W–W–W, WHAT=2; HOW=2” S. Graham, K.R. Harris, and R. Sawyer
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What is What is Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing??
Step Up To Writing is a collection Step Up To Writing is a collection of classroom-proven, of classroom-proven,
multi-sensory strategies for multi-sensory strategies for information/expository writing. information/expository writing.
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WhatWhat Does Does Step Up To Writing Step Up To Writing DoDo??
1. guides students to write clear, concise, organized papers. 2. teaches students to write great topic sentences and thesis statements and to connect ideas using transitions. 3. helps students establish a sense of order
and control over the information in a paper. 4. requires students to support topics, to give examples and explanations, and to write a conclusion that stays on topic. 5. Gives students guidance, support, and direction for becoming successful writers.
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WhoWho is is Step Up for WritingStep Up for Writing forfor?? - General education in grades
K – 12 - Special education in grades K - 12 - English Language Learner programs - Gifted &Talented programs
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Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing Is about: Is about:
• Direct, Explicit Instruction
• Guided Practice
• Opportunities for Independent Practice
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Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing Is about: Is about: ToolsTools
• Multisensory
• Color
• Word Lists
• Informal Outlines
• Examples
• Small Steps
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Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing Is about: Is about: the Writing Processthe Writing Process
Prewriting and PlanningPrewriting and Planning
Drafting, Revising, and EditingDrafting, Revising, and Editing
Creating a Final Copy, Creating a Final Copy, Proofreading, and SharingProofreading, and Sharing
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Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing Is about: Is about: Promoting the Traits Promoting the Traits
of Good Writingof Good Writing
•Content•Organization•Style
•Vocabulary•Sentence Structure•Conventions
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Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing Is about: Is about: Common Language and Common Language and
Common High ExpectationsCommon High Expectations• Common Language
(school/system/etc.)– Same terminology– Builds on instruction
• Common High Expectations– Quality writing required in all
classes/content areas/etc.
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It’s the Color, Not the FormIt’s the Color, Not the Form
1_____1_____
2 _____2 _____
3_____3_____
1_____1_____
2_____2_____
3_____3_____
Topic =Topic =
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Write a topic sentence.Write a topic sentence.
Go!
Give a reason, detail, or fact. Give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition.Use a transition.
Slow Down!
Explain.Explain.Give an example.Give an example.
Stop!
Remind the reader of your topic.Remind the reader of your topic.
Go Back!
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TopicTopic
Reason/Detail/FactReason/Detail/Fact
ExplainExplain
ExplainExplain
ConclusionConclusion
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Using Colors Using Colors to Teach Organizationto Teach OrganizationTopic Sentence:
• Green means “go;” it asks the writer to decide:“What am I going to prove?”“What am I going to explain?”“What information will I share?”
Topic Sentence:
• Green means “go;” it asks the writer to decide:“What am I going to prove?”“What am I going to explain?”“What information will I share?”
• Reasons/Details/Facts:• Yellow means “slow down.”
– Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence.
• Reasons/Details/Facts:• Yellow means “slow down.”
– Introduce key concepts to support the topic sentence.
Explain:
• Red means “stop and explain.”
• Present evidence.
• Provide explanation and examples.
Explain:
• Red means “stop and explain.”
• Present evidence.
• Provide explanation and examples.
Conclusion:• Green means “go back to your topic.”
• Restate the topic and the position.
• Do not introduce new information.
• Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.
Conclusion:• Green means “go back to your topic.”
• Restate the topic and the position.
• Do not introduce new information.
• Use synonyms and leave your reader with something to remember.
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Step Up to WritingStep Up to Writing Is about: Is about:
- direct, explicit instruction - guided & independent practice - multisensory tools - the writing process - promoting the traits of good writing - common language & common high expectations - writing in ALL “content areas”
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III. Design of The Study:III. Design of The Study: An Overview An Overview
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RED 3371 Literacy IRED 3371 Literacy I Study Participants: Study Participants:
- 3 rural schools in SE Alabama- 3 rural schools in SE Alabama - lower socio-economic status- lower socio-economic status
- fifth grade classes- fifth grade classes- principals and teachers agreed - principals and teachers agreed with this type of intervention with this type of intervention- teachers agreed to follow up on - teachers agreed to follow up on days when pre-service teachers days when pre-service teachers were not there to keep flow of were not there to keep flow of Step-Up-To-Writing going Step-Up-To-Writing going
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- Study began with 95 fifth grade students- Study began with 95 fifth grade students - Study ended with 87 fifth grade students - Study ended with 87 fifth grade students
- participant omissions composed of - participant omissions composed of students missing pre- and/or students missing pre- and/or post-test post-test
- instrument used for pre and - instrument used for pre and post testing:post testing: TOWL (Test of Written Language)TOWL (Test of Written Language)
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1 5 9
13
17
21
25
29
33
37
41
45
49
53
57
61
65
69
73
77
81
85
Pre
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0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Students
Pre-Post Test Results
Pre test
Post test
Rawscorepoints
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t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances
Variable 1 Variable 2
Mean 6.116279 7.325581
Variance 10.10397 9.751573
Observations 86 86
Pooled Variance 9.92777
Hypothesized Mean Difference 0
df 170
t Stat -2.51677
P(T<=t) one-tail 0.006385
t Critical one-tail 1.653866
P(T<=t) two-tail 0.01277
t Critical two-tail 1.974017
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Dr. Darrell PearsonDr. Darrell [email protected]
Dr. Rhonda BowronDr. Rhonda [email protected]
Dr. Jan OliverDr. Jan [email protected]
College of EducationTroy UniversityTroy, Alabama