Elementary Essay Writing

This classroom poster is another student aid for language arts classrooms.  The "Story Telling Remote" helps kids focus on the keys to good essay writing.

From the introduction, right through to the conclusion, they can reference this visual guide to walk them through good essay planning.

These come in a pack of 25 so you can hand them out to every student in your class. Laminating them will make them last for years.

Available now in "The Write Prescription" store.

Essay Writing Planning Tool for Students

These planning tools are a great resource for students to use right at their desks.
Each folder is printed with the following sections: the 5 modes of writing; figurative language examples; and a huge list of excellent vocabulary to substitute for worn out words.
Also includes outlines for writing, figurative expressions and high level vocabulary words on the back.

Full Color 11" x 17" Folder, printed on both side. (image below shows the folder before folding)

Folders come in shrink wrapped sets of 25 (one per student) and are ready for easy folding and classroom use.

These language arts folders are currently on sale.

Analytical Essay Scoring to help your students improve test scores.

Did you know one of the services I offer to teachers is Analytical Essay Scoring?

For each student essay submitted, I will provide specific visual feedback to help the student learn how they can improve their essay writing.  I even include pictures to help the students, especially the visual learners, key in on their prime focus points.  See the sample below.
I return all the feedback in CD form, and it will also include videos that represent the ideas the student wrote about in their essay.

These are great for reviewing as a group with your class.  The results will be noticed immediately in their next assignments.

Contact me if you are interested in trying out this service with a few of your students' essays.

Language Arts Classroom Posters

I have re-vamped a bunch of my language arts classroom posters for 2012.

New posters cover topics such as:

• revising and editing
• keys to expository writing
• persuasive writing
• personal narrative writing
• literary essay planning
• a TAKS writing guide
• keys to the new Texas STAAR writing tests

I've also updated my Advanced Writing Folders.

Frustrated by challenges with the new STAAR exams?

"The fact that students will have 26 written lines to execute a complete essay for the STAAR exam is really starting to frustrate me."

This is a quote I found on Twitter and I know this person is not alone in how she feels.  If you are also wondering how best to direct your young language arts students to meet the new tougher criteria, here are some tips I offer you:

I can understand your frustration!  It has always been very difficult for students to be focused when they have TWO pages to work with and now they are asked to condense their essays to ONE.  Since the rubric is very clear that in a personal narrative, the students are to write about ONE experience or one event, limiting them to one page and 26 lines will help make or force this to happen.  Teach them to think of the most interesting event that happened in a specific (GPS) location, then explode THAT idea only, leaving out all the other trivial or less important events.   

     For the purpose of expository, follow the same general idea.  For example, if the students are writing an essay based on the prompt that T.E.A. released, Write about a  special person, only allow the kids to give ONE or TWO related reasons why the person is special, without responding in what I call an exposiSTORY format.

      If you would like any ideas on strategies that would assist you in teaching student to be focused and to develop around a focus, feel free to contact me! 

STAAR Language Arts Store for teachers

Have you checked out the STAAR section of our store lately?

We have continued to create and add new classroom posters, student folders and other teaching aids to help teachers and students alike quickly gear learning towards the new criteria of the Texas STAAR standardized testing for Language Arts.

Visit The Write Prescription store and see what's new!

S.T.A.A.R. Questions & Answers

FAQ regarding the new Texas S.T.A.A.R. Standardized Testing

·        Are breaks allowed during STAAR assessments?

Breaks are allowed during STAAR assessments; however the following breaks must be included in the four-hour time limit.

§  Breaks for water or snacks

§  Bathroom breaks

§  Breaks for physical activity (e.g., standing up and stretching)

§  Routine medical breaks (e.g., to take medicine)

Breaks for lunch are not included in the four-hour time limit; however it is recommended that lunch be scheduled outside of the testing time.

·        How will reporting change when STAAR is implemented?

The implementation of STAAR will bring some key changes to the way information is reported.

For TAKS all reports were provided in hard-copy format with the option to receive online reports for a fee. With the new STAAR program, all reports will be provided online. One copy of each of the Confidential Student Reports (CSRs) and labels will be provided in hard-copy format.

·        What happens to students who arrive late or after testing has begun?

All students must be given the maximum of four hours to complete the tests. Districts will need to determine if the student can test on that day or on a make-up day.

·        For which assessments will make-up testing be available?

For the STAAR program, make-up testing opportunities for students who are absent will be available for all grades, subjects, and courses. Make-up testing opportunities will also be available for all administrations, including the summer administrations.

·        Will the dyslexia bundled accommodations continue to be offered to eligible students taking the STAAR reading assessments?

Two of the three bundled accommodations will be available for students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities on the STAAR reading assessments in grades 3 through high school—the oral reading of item stems/answer options only and extended testing time, if needed. These accommodations do not need to be offered as a bundle; the needs of the student should be considered when determining which accommodations to use. A proper-nouns list like the one used in the TAKS assessments will no longer be provided.