A Recursive Writing

Framework

By Jacqueline Smith

ActivateInspiration Instruction Inquiry Planning

What strategies will I use to stimulate and motivate students - get their creative juices flowing?

What kind of instruction do students need in order to be successful?

What do the students need to find out in order to write in a credible, cogent way?

What do students need to consider about their writing? How will they structure their writing?

Picture booksRole playQuick writesExamplarsBrainstormVideosStory Telling

Mini-lessons on rhetorical modes ( conventions of, specific genres), conventions/mechanics of writingReview of tools - anchor charts, success criteria, thesaurus etc

Ask questionsGather information

RAFT (role audience, format, topic)Story boardingGraphic organizerPre-made structure

Compose● Students begin to compose the piece● At least 30 minutes of sustained writing● Students continue composing after consultation● They might need to part with large chunks of writing as they shape the work● Composing is iterative (as they say in tech; create, test, tweak until desired

result is achieved)

Consult ● Students can ask a friend for feedback● Students give feedback based on success criteria● Consulting with pairs could happen at table groups, via collaborative software

like Google docs or in specially designated space● Teacher conferences with student about their writing● Students can interact with other resources as needed (online or print research,

conduct interviews) ● Students reflect on writing process, reflect on strategies, growth

PolishingRevise for

● conventions of writing○ grammar

○ punctuation

○ spelling

● elements of style○ sentence variation

○ flow of ideas,

○ innovative expressions

○ voice

Publishing● Read work aloud in class● Display work on walls● Blog● Newsletter

Status of the Class

Student How did you move your writing along this period?

Taylor Composed - started my first draft

Consulted with Zein

Composed Polished

Justin Composed - started my first draft

Composed - started my first draft

Revised my storyboard and started over

Zein Composed - started my first draft

Did some research on ….

Composed Consulted with Justin

Status of the class created on chart paper. Students update their progress themselves, this is their ticket out the door. Can be used with junior and intermediate students.