I love the writing organization template. I used it with my students at the end of era 1 as we discussed what event in human history played the biggest role in our development. We completed it together, step by step.
I tried something different to conclude unit 3. I teach 8th grade gifted students. Writing is always an interesting endeavor (some struggle to begin; some dread the very mention of the word; some don't know how to wrap it up thinking more is always better). I decided slow and steady wins the race. So when it came time to respond to the BIG question (as we call it in my room): What caused some humans to shift from foraging to farming and what were the consequences of this change? -- I used the exact same writing organization template again. This time I had the students complete it on their own. It felt like we weren't making enough progress -- truly baby steps -- but it looks like it was the right decision. What growth I saw from the first to the second endeavor! And the positive comments among the students afterward were astounding: "I love writing like this. This makes writing make so much more sense. I feel like I can really do it this way."
Will we ever get to an entire essay? Of course...but I've decided not to rush. If they can master the thesis and organizational structure, and it it takes even another session with just this organizational template...it's time well spent. As I build their confidence and allow organizing their thoughts to become more of a habit, I'm hoping to create amazing writers for their future.
Anyone else have thoughts on pacing and moving students more slowly through this process?
