Which writing skills require not only teaching within the context of writing workshop but also more ...

Answer to #1

Spelling and handwriting need to be explicitly taught. When children begin to write, it is important that they be encouraged to use what they know about words and their sounds to write their pieces. Becoming a competent speller is a developmental journey, with all children progressing through five stages. At each stage, children need to be provided with spelling instruction; formal spelling instructionbeing assigned particular words to study each weekwill begin when the child reaches the fourth stage. Some of the words the students will study will be selected from their writing and reading. The teacher will add some words that share the same spelling pattern (e.g., if a particular student needs to learn to spell cough, rough and tough might also be added to the week's spelling list). There will be spelling tests on Friday for students who receive formal spelling instruction. There is some evidence that spelling instruction embedded in writing workshop and taught directly yields greater gains in spelling performance than either one alone. This is true for students who have special needs and those who do not. This is also true for nonnative English language speakers.

Answer to #2

The purpose of classroom-based assessments is to determine how successful instruction is in helping students to develop and grow as readers. A few leading questions guide teachers' reading assessment as a continuous improvement process in the elementary grades: (1) What should be assessed? (2) What kinds of assessment tools? (3) How is assessment managed? (4) How is assessment information used?

Answer to #3

b

Answer to #4

c

Answer to #5

An assessment system consists of multiple assessment sources and sound practices that are coordinated to inform instruction. The system (1) reflects literacy performance over multiple time points with a variety of instruments; (2) measures essential skills; (3) adheres to ethical guidelines; (4) provides useful information; and (5) aligns with literacy standards.

Answer to #6

Absolutely Nonnative speakers of English have the same needs as native speakers of English. The focus of the writing workshop is to address the needs of each student. Hence, within the writing workshop, teachers can meet the needs of many different kinds of learners. Through writing workshop, English language learners can and do engage in writing for multiple purposes and audiences, at first in their native language and then later in English. In the process, they learn about written language and about how to use it effectively.

Answer to #7

The answers are manuscript and vertical for students who have special needs and those who do not.

Answer to #8

Rubrics are an important tool teachers use to evaluate their students' finished writing. Rubrics help teachers teach aspects of good writing and help teachers and students analyze the students' writing. Rubrics, therefore, help teachers understand their students' writing development.

Answer to #9

Immerse the students in materials exactly like the format of the test they will take. Many test publishers sell practice books. Give students practice working under testing conditionsfor example, listening to directions only once, or taking the practice tests under timed conditions. Discuss test strategies that help students feel more in control.