We’ve Got the Wright Stuff

Mary WendlandTitle 1 Coordinator

Writing is a Process1 Scribbling and Drawing

Scribbling looks like random assortment of marks on a child's paper.

Sometimes the marks are large, circular, and random, and resemble drawing.

Although the marks do not resemble print, they are significant because the young writer uses them to show ideas.

YOU CAN HELP BY HAVING YOUR CHILD DEVELOP THE PINCER GRASP BY PICKING UP OBJECTS WITH FINGERS OR TWEEZERS

2 Letter-like Symbols

Letter-like forms emerge, sometimes randomly placed, and are interspersed with numbers.

The children can tell about their own drawings or writings. In this stage, spacing is rarely present.

YOU CAN HELP BY HAVING YOUR CHILD DESCRIBE HIS OR HER PICTURE TO YOU AND WRITE BEGINNING SOUNDS. PLAY PHONEMIC AWARENESS GAMES TO DEMONSTRATE LETTER SOUND RELATIONSHIPS.

3 Early EmergentIn the strings-of-letters phase, children write

some legible letters that tell us they know more about writing.

Children are developing awareness of the sound-to- symbol relationship, although they are not matching most sounds.

Children usually write in capital letters and have not yet begun spacing.

YOU CAN HELP BY HAVING YOUR CHILD WRITE BEGINNING AND ENDING SOUNDS AND MAKE MOCK LISTS. CONTINUE TO HAVE THEM LABEL PICTURES DRAWN OR MAGAZINE PICTURES

4 Emergent At this stage, children begin to see the

differences between a letter and a word, but they may not use spacing between words.

Their message makes sense and matches the picture, especially when they choose the topic.

5 Transitional: invented spelling

creates own spelling when conventional spelling is not known

one letter may represent an entire syllable

words may overlay

may not use proper spacing

as writing matures, more words are spelled conventionally

as writing matures, perhaps only one or two letters invented or omitted

6: Conventionalusually resembles adult writing

Key Point:

READING AND WRITING SHOULD DEVELOP SIMULTANEOUSLY

Different Types of WritingPoems

Fiction

Expository

Narrative

Persuasive Argument

Summarizi

ng

Letter Writing

Literary Response

Text Evidence

Misconceptions About WritingSpelling doesn’t matter because I have spell check.

Every piece of writing should be detailed and lengthy.

I don’t have to go back and reread for errors.

I should point out every mistake my child makes so that he or she will stop doing it.

Writing is independent and not related to oral language

What is my child expected to do in school?

Write to topic

Explain thinking and concepts through written word

Self edit

Use research materials

Validate information using multiple resources

Implement spelling rules and knowledge

Use variations in punctuation

What Role Does Writing Play in the SBAC

Students will have to be familiar with accessing online resources.

Students will have to be able to write to a topic with correct spelling without relying on spell check

Students will have to be confident in TYPING

Encourage Your Child ToSend emails to family members

Journal

Make lists

Model

READ! READ! READ!

Changes You Want to Know About….

This year only 5th grade will be taking the state science test and receiving scores.

3rd through 5th grade will be piloting the SBAC which means they take it, but do not receive scores

Next year, 3rd through 5th will take the SBAC and receive scores.

Scores were always only one part of the equation so we will still rely on district benchmarks and classroom summative assessments to determine student performance levels.

California State Testing5th grade Science only

April 29-May 1

Attendance is very important

Arrive to school on time

Get plenty of rest

Eat a healthy breakfast full of protein

Donations of healthy snacks welcome

CST Released Questions http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp

Smarter Balance Testing Pilot March 18-21, 5th grade

March 24-27, 4th grade

April 8 and 9, 4th grade room 26

April 14-17, 3rd grade

Common Core State Standards

Computer Adaptive Technology

English Language Arts and Literacy

http://sampleitems.smarterbalanced.org/itempreview/sbac/ELA.htm

Math

http://sampleitems.smarterbalanced.org/itempreview/sbac/index.htm