Every writing assignment we work on is differentiated on three levels. Basically speaking, there is a simplified, very structured and scaffolded version for below grade level students. There is the grade level assignment scaffolded by many reminders, clear instructions, and a very thorough and color-coded outline that matches our graphic organizer. We also have an above grade level assignment that really helps push kids into making insightful connections and using compelling language and evidence.
Examples of Leveled Writing Assignments:
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To the right, you'll see examples of our three levels of differentiated assignments. It will give you a students-eye view of what the differentiations described below look like in practice.
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Description of Leveled Writing Assignments:
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Level 4 Assignment: Advanced
Our top-level writing assignments are designed to inspire connections between texts, ideas, and evidence. The assignments are written to encourage students to build abstract thinking, and to organize ideas in complex ways. The hope is that by encouraging deep, complex thought, that writing will develop to adequately explain those connections using compelling evidence and explanations, and insightful transitions that link everything together.
Level 3 Assignment: Grade Level
Our grade-level assignments emphasize organization and reward the trappings of concrete-operational thought processes. They are designed so students have the supports and organization structure necessary to make straightforward claims, and to support them using logical evidence and relevant explanations.
Level 2 Assignment: Beginner
Our beginner assignments provide intensive scaffolding: students are provided with color-coded, sentence-specific directions. They are provided with sentence frames for their transitions. The emphasis of these assignments is to get students to select relevant evidence and to link it to related explanations.
It's a great place to start because it boils the writing process down to the most basic two elements. |
Nothing sells leveled differentiation like stairway imagery. In this case, the higher you climb up our writing hierarchy, the more likely you are to enjoy the most delicious coffee and baked goods on sale in a medieval wall protecting an Estonian city.
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