While there are some truly fantastic writing templates available in the ELA circuit, I often hear two common refrains and points of contention:
- These templates are too rigidly formulaic and "paint-by-number" in nature - and as a result - they stifle student voice
- These templates are too advanced for some students who do not come to us with the requisite baseline literacies
For my 20+ year career, I have taught in a city which serves as a major port of entry into the U.S., and as such, my district is quite diverse (at last count, we have 79 different countries represented).
Early in the year, therefore, I find it to be of utmost necessity to break down concepts simply, especially things like line of reasoning.
In today's writing workshop video, I bring to class one bag of Skittles that students manipulate to do three things:
- Sustain cogent lines of reasoning
- Have silky smooth quote transitions
- Provide plenty of textual support and analysis
Per usual, the writing workshop video begins with a blank canvas and I "paint" the essay from start to finish (there are tons of exemplars and models) all while pulling the strings of my Skittles heuristic.
Not only is this a super high engaging method to break down difficult concepts, but it nicely demystifies how to construct an expository essay.
For my AP Literature friends, my writing workshop showcases FRQ 1 from the 2023 exam: Alice Cary's "Autumn."
And for my AP Lang. friends, I tackle FRQ 2 from this past year's exam - Rita Dove's commencement address.
Even if you aren't an AP English instructor, give the videos a glance. This is a very gentle and accessible way to elucidate some of the more difficult writing concepts that seem to elude our struggling and emerging writers.
Happy teaching and happy writing!
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