RM Winter 2016 FLIP

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Reading Matters
Teaching Matters
| 30| Reading Matters | Volume 16 • Winter 2016 |
The next step is to introduce
the pre-assessment goal sheet (see
Figure 4). Demonstrate how these
sheets will be used during writing
conferences. Begin by sharing a
writing sample of your own and
show how you identified a goal that
matches a need in your writing.
Model how to write a goal on the line
under Goal 1. For example, “I will add
better word choices to my writing.”
Then, model how to select
the rating that best represents
the current level of performance.
Think aloud strategies can be
used to model for students. For
example, “I feel like I use a few
higher-level words in my paper
(underline those in the sample
being shared), but I could definitely
add more. I will rate myself as a
3, because I can show the skill,
but I can improve on it more.” Circle the box marked 3.
Then, think of a specific strategy to help improve that goal.
Again, model by thinking aloud: “I know I’ve learned to use a
thesaurus to find synonyms for boring words, so I will write
down that I will underline boring words in my writing and use
a thesaurus to replace them with more exciting words.” Ask
students to think of specific goals they could work on within
their writing (add to the list started as a class, see Figure 2).
This list may help spark ideas among the students as they
begin developing their own writing goals. Continue to add to
this list throughout the year as new goals are developed.
After meeting as a group, the
teacher should distribute the pre-
assessment goal sheets. Give students
time to draft up to three goals
for their next writing conference.
Encourage students to look at past
writing examples in their writing
journals for ideas. Walk around the
room to assist as students create
goals, rate their skill level, and identify
a specific strategy for each goal. Goal
sheets should be placed in the front
of the student’s writing folder so
students can reference them each day
during independent writing time. (For
reproducible copies of goal sheets for
older and younger writers, see the pages
immediately following this article).
Implementing Goal
Setting during
Individual Writing
Conferences
After the initial introduction
of goal setting, it’s time to begin
individual writing conferences
using the goal sheets. The
following guidelines are arranged
by writing unit (which includes
working on a piece of writing
across the stages of the writing
process: pre-writing, drafting,
revising, editing, and publishing)
and provide a general guide for
implementation. These steps
may need to be adjusted based
on student progress, needs,
and instructional focus.
Pre-Assessment
Goal Sheet
Throughout the writing
unit, make time to conference with each student at least once.
Some students may need more than one conference, based
on how much instructional support they require. Begin the
conference by asking the student to share their goal sheet and
then read their piece of writing aloud. After, ask them to provide
evidence from their writing to support the information on
their goal sheet. Many students will need support developing
and/or revising their goals, ratings, and strategies.
When the conferencing time of the workshop has ended and
the class transitions to the sharing portion of the session, select a
student who has a clear goal and appropriately matched strategy
to share their work, including
evidence from their writing, with
the class. It is important to ask
the student’s permission first to
be sure they feel comfortable
with sharing their goals.
Post-Assessment Goal
Sheet
As students near the end of the
writing unit and prepare to publish
their work, have the class meet again
in the commonmeeting area for a
mini-lesson on how to complete the
post-assessment goal sheet. Display
the post-assessment goal sheet (see
Figure 5) on chart paper or the board.
Using the same information
modeled during the introductory
mini-lesson, write the goal
created on the Goal 1 line.“I will
Figure 4. Pre-assessment goal sheet.
Figure 5. Pre-assessment goal sheet.