A few weeks ago I began to write about an approach that we are taking to writing in all curricular areas at Estabrook. We have been working with two of the five types of writing recently. Type 1 and Type 2 writing are both quick, informal types of writing. Both develop writing fluency, have only one draft, and are assessed in a few seconds. Both types of writing are done frequently. As you remember, Type 1 writing is designed to help children get their ideas down on paper. There are no right or wrong answers. Teachers use this writing to get everyone engaged in thinking about a subject and to evaluate students’ prior knowledge.
Type 2 Writing
Type 2 writing also requires a quick writing response from children. However, students are asked to answer a question that does have a right or wrong answer. A Type 2 piece of writing might be considered a "mini-quiz." Teachers use this type of writing as one way to assess student understanding and determine next teaching steps. Again, the evaluation takes only a few seconds for each child, generally done as the teacher walks around the classroom.
Sample Assignment: Write three differences between the lives of Colonial children and the lives of children today.
Student Response:
Type 2--Three differences Susanne
Sample Assignment: Tell two different ways that you can skip count to 50.
Student Response:
Type 2--Two ways Josh
You can count to 50 in two ways. The first way is to count by 5’s. You can count by fives like this 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50! You can also count by 10s. You count to 50 in tens like this 10, 20, 30, 40, 50.
Sample Assignment: Define "matter."
Student Response:
Type 2-Definition David
Matter is something that takes up space. It can be a solid, gas, or liquid. Solid matter can be heavy or light.
Estabrook Home Page | Curriculum | To review Type 1 writing
Last updated 4/23/02 dlk