SECRET SITE Return to all sessionsConquer state assessmentsGrades 3-12 | ML Levels 3-5 | HANDOUTCreate a reading & writing calendar for test prepSemester 1: Reading-Response SkillsTake notes/Annotate texts.Go beyond Highlighting—expect Why-lighting. Introduce the purpose of annotation.Notice & note what the text says and means.Mark new and contradictory information.Return to annotations after reading.Practice note-taking with short videos.Retell, paraphrase, summarize.Retell or paraphrase author ideas.Support summary writing with Information Pyramids.Summarize stories with Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then.Target short constructed responses.Teach constructed-response writing to boost test success.Strengthen text citations in 3 steps.End a constructed response with an explanation.Semester 1: Genre-Writing Skills 18×24 Poster | Digital VersionAvailable in Spanish 18×24 Poster | Digital VersionAvailable in Spanish 18×24 Poster | Digital VersionAvailable in Spanish 18×24 Poster | Digital VersionAvailable in SpanishPersuasive/Argumentative WritingCompare argumentative vs. persuasive writing.Organize persuasive writing using What & Why.Align with the strongest position.Integrate 3 ingredients within every claim.Strengthen arguments with counterclaims.Distinguish reasons from evidence using text details about school uniforms.Start and end persuasive pieces.Persuade an audience with rhetorical devices.Evaluate four factors in argumentative analysis.Informative WritingHow to teach technical writing Teach compare-contrast writing.Piece together informative introductions.Craft informative conclusions.Narrative WritingPlan problems into narrative stories.Follow 4 principles to add character dialogue to a story.Incorporate 3 literary devices into narratives. Target close-up details in descriptive writing.Semester 2: Writing-About-Reading SkillsDecode the prompt.Decode a prompt in 3 steps.Equip students to attack prompts independently.Use the prompt to determine the genre.Identify 10-15 general academic words per grade.Synthesize & cite evidencefrom multiple sources.Narrative responsesGenerate narratives in response to reading.Incorporate evidence in a narrative response.Stack short responses to generate extended responses.Adapt Yes, MA’AM (RACE or CER) for longer essays.Rework the prompt to serve as an introduction.Prepare students to read off a screen and to compose on one.Maximize on-screen reading time.Adjust the writing process for digital devices.Generate more first drafts than final drafts.Vary the pace of the writing process.
