Ekphrasis Poems
Students were asked to write poems based on art workThese poems are linked with my comments included.
Career Research Reports
These are research reports written by 10th grade students. The first is from a student with an IEP who typically struggled with writing even short assignments, while the second is from a student who usually received average scores on English assessments. Along with learning more about potential careers, one of the goals of this assignment was to include data and charts. It was one of the first times that these students were asked to use this kind of information in an English paper.
RAFT Writing
I believe that writing across the curriculum can add to both a student’s literacy development and content knowledge. One of my favorite forms of writing across the curriculum is called the RAFT. In it, students take on a different Role, choose a specific Audience, select a Format, and then write about a Topic. Here are some examples of RAFT writing assignments I have used.
Assignment-Colonization
RAFT Writing Assignment
Directions: Choose one of the following roles, audiences, and formats. The topic is already chosen for you: Colonization of Central and Southern America. Complete this assignment on a separate sheet of lined paper.
Roles:
- Conquistador
- Aztec native
- Inca native
- Spanish colonist
- Portuguese colonistÂ
Audiences:
- Conquistadors
- Aztec natives
- Inca natives
- Spanish or Portuguese ruler
- Spanish or Portuguese colonist
- Self
Formats:
- Journal/diary entry
- Letter
- Six-Panel Comic
- Poem/song
- Sketch/drawing
Topic: Personal experience of the colonization of Central and Southern America
Student Example 1-This is from a 12th grade student who loves poetry.
Hopeless lies
From the hopeless strangers.
Being made a guest
In my own home-
Like a bee
Estranged from her flower.
Pain and despair
Only lightened
By sickness and death.
Open wounds of my people,
Never to be sealed.
Trust and loyalty-
Lost words among these savages;
Savages that point
Their nose to the sky-
Bathing in the green and black
Of self-proclaimed riches.
Peace is for the weak.
Deception is the language
Of the victors,
Feeding sickness to their hosts-
Housing us in our own coffins,
Just waiting to be closed-
Behind our backs.
Under our nose.