Writing Assignment Guide (WAG): Text Source Assignment Instructions
YOU MUST USE THE ATTACHED TEMPLATE
Overview
For this series of assignments, you will independently focus on one Writing Assignment Guide in four separate assignments. Each Writing Assignment Guide (WAG) is completed separately. For each assignment, you will create a unit for the identified writing instruction strategy. Chapter 10 is the chapter that covers WAG assignments, but the content you will need for each separate WAG is within the appropriate module. Use the resource page 189 as a reference to understand and follow the specific steps for each WAG assignment. The grade-level must be PreK-8.
Instructions
To complete each WAG assignment, use the template provided to show what is included in each step of the Writing Assignment Guide (WAG). Each WAG activity has different components that you will include in the assignment. Review the specific steps in the textbook and modules (labeled with each activity). Clearly describe all steps presented in each assignment template. At least 2 samples from each unit must be included and labeled in the notes section of each assignment template. You must use the template in Word for the assignment. Please do not save it as any other format than a Word document when submitting.
Select and use quality children’s literature for your activities. Additionally, include the specific state standard(s) that your activity is based on, including the number, letter, and description. Links to the Virginia Standards of Learning and Common Core Standards have been provided with this assignment. Only Virginia Standards of Learning or Common Core Standards may be used for this assignment.
Specific instructions for the WAG assignment are below.
Writing Assignment Guide (WAG): Text Source Assignment
This is a writing assignment for students that would likely span across multiple days; therefore, it is referred to as a unit within the directions and template. Using the Writing Assignment Guide (WAG): Text Source Template provided with this assignment, create your unit by following the steps below:
Step 1. Text Selection: Identify the text you will use for this lesson. It is the text that students will respond to. List the text in current APA format in the designated area in the assignment template.
Step 2. Grade Level and Learning Standards: Identify a PreK-8 grade level. Then, identify at least two applicable Language Arts state learning standards for this grade level and unit. Include the specific state standard(s) on which your activity is based, including the number, letter, and description. Links to the Virginia Standards of Learning and Common Core Standards have been provided with this assignment. Only Virginia Standards of Learning or Common Core Standards may be used for this assignment.
Step 3. Writing Task: Think about what topic you are teaching and what writing task would best support students’ learning of the content. Make sure it aligns with the standard selected. Refer to textbook Figure 10.6 for guidance on what might be appropriate for the selected grade level. Remember that for this assignment, everything should connect to responding to the text selected as a source.
Step 4. Audience: Identify the assignment’s audience. Who are the students writing to?
Step 5. Purpose (Learning Goal): Why are students writing this task? Connect this to the writing task. Remember that for this assignment, everything should connect to responding to the text selected as a source.
Step 6. Length: Identify a length criterion: number of words, sentences, paragraph, or page). Remember to select a criterion that is appropriate for the grade you have selected. A sentence or paragraph requirement may be more suitable for younger grades, while page lengths may be more suitable for older grades.
Step 7. Directions and Requirements: Write the directions and requirements as if you are giving them to students. Be VERY specific. Provide the directions/prompt you would provide to students. Detail the expectations that will be given to students about what they are responding to from the text. Also include expectations for an introduction, supporting sentences, and a conclusion. Remember to explicitly discuss how students will use a text source.
Step 8. Writing Supports (Scaffolding): Detail how you will scaffold during the unit. In what specific ways will you scaffold, and how? The list below is from the textbook, but it is not exhaustive. Please do not feel restricted to it; use what you believe is most appropriate for your unit.
· Use an easy and short text.
· Providing step-by-step directions
· Scaffold the text.
· Use two-column notes.
· Teach transitional words and phrases (this would have a graphic organizer and/or anchor chart).
· Use a summary writing template.
· Use a partially completed summary writing template.
· Checklist or rubric
· A graphic organizer
Step 9. Differentiation: Detail the differentiation that will be provided and why it is appropriate. This is different than scaffolding. What would you do for struggling students? What would you do for students who require a challenge?
Step 10. Collaboration: How will students collaborate during this unit?
Step 11. Assessment: How will the writing piece be graded? Be specific about the criteria. Remember that for this assignment, everything should connect to responding to the text selected as a source, including what is be used as an assessment to evaluated student learning.
Step 12. Samples: Provide at least two samples related to the unit. This can be anything you would use with students at any point in this unit. A sample is a process that measures students’ understanding of the content being taught (e.g., rubrics for grading, anchor charts, graphic organizers, quizzes, presentations to the class, etc.). Do not place links; you should submit screenshots or insert the actual samples. Remember to cite the samples in-text within the template. If you create any of the samples, you must cite yourself in-text.
Step 13. References: Include a current APA-formatted references page for all resources used for this assignment. Remember to include the standards, samples, and text selection. If you created a sample, you must cite yourself in-text and in the reference list.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
