MINI LESSONS & WRITING INSTRUCTION

ASU Prep December 10, 2013

Why mini lessons?

Mini lessons are brief (5-25 minute) lessons that provide

students instruction needed to complete the days writing. These lessons cover a specific skill, idea, or task in a student-focused way. The goal of the mini lesson is to open up writing opportunities for students. Keep it mini these lessons are designed to give students ample writing time. Mini lessons are paired with writing practice.

When should I use mini lessons?

At any point in the writing process

Mini lessons are great for: Introducing new concepts Helping students brainstorm Helping students draft Encouraging a specific stylistic element or strategy Targeted revision Polishing essays

How do I make mini lessons effective?

Keep it simple and brief choose a skill, stylistic

approach, etc. that you want to teach and teach only that. Use mentor texts help students to see what they will be doing. Provide ample time for practice. Think of your writing instruction as a series of mini lessons, rather than a long introductory lesson paired with days of unstructured writing time. Remember that students need writing instruction great assignments can be ruined when students dont have the instruction they need.

LETS PLAY!
Sample mini lessons in the writing classroom

Let me tell you a story

After reading the articles on school funding per pupil and

cuts to school funding, think about what you know and believe about school funding. What is the real story? You have 10 minutes to:
Sketch out the real story, as you see it, about school funding. There is no specific structure to your sketch it can be linear,

circular, or ordered in which ever way your thoughts on the topic are ordered. Use words and images.

Letters and Public Issues

Letters have many purposes and audiences.

What types of letters, or similar correspondence, are you

familiar with?
Friendly letters Formal/Business letters

Emails
Letters to the editor

How are these letters different?

While your thoughts may be the same on a topic, the way

you talk about things will be different based on your audience and the type of letter you are writing.

Lets take a look

John Jones, Student Body President C/O ASU Prep Academy 735 E Fillmore St. Phoenix, AZ 85006 December 1, 2013 Manager Safeway 340 E. Mcdowell Phoenix, AZ 85004 Dear Manager: I am a student at ASU Prep Academy, which is located on 7th Street and Fillmore, two miles from your store. On Friday, December 13, 2013 our school is hosting a job-a-thon to raise money for gifts and food for those in need in our community during this holiday season. Participating students will jog or walk laps on the school track for 2 hours that day. Since students will be physically active for so long, they will need water and snacks for nourishment. We are hoping that your store will consider donating bottled water and snacks to our school. This donation would allow our students to participate to the best of their ability by providing them with drinks and nourishment. Thank you for considering our request. If you have questions about the jog-a-thon or about my request, please contact me at the address above. You may also contact the student government advisor, Sue Smith, at sue.smith@asu.edu. Sincerely,

John Jones Student Body President

What do you notice

Similarities Differences

Genre Conventions
Formal Letter Audience A business person, local leader, somebody in position of authority, or somebody you dont know well Return Address Date Recipients Address Formal salutation Block paragraphs Formal closing Space for signature Friendly Letter Somebody you know well friend, family member, etc.

Format

Depends on recipient May include: Date Friendly salutation Simple Paragraphs Friendly closing

Style

Direct, formal, and informative

Friendly

Your turn to try

Think about what you know about school funding in

Arizona and school funding cuts. Write a letter to someone you think can do something about it. This may be a formal or informal letter. This is an early draft, so take some risks as you think about audience and content.

Lets Share
Turn to a partner and share who you wrote your letter to

and what you wrote about.

Parts of todays mini lesson

Preparation reading the articles

Prewriting creating the visual

Direct teaching on genre conventions Writing Practice Sharing

Future mini lessons that might follow

Crafting the content of a letter

Organization and the letter

Turning a letter into an argumentative essay Stylistic elements of effective letters ethos & pathos

2 Stickies
#1 What did you learn about mini lessons that you didnt

know #2 Think of a writing assignment you plan to do. How could you make it into mini lessons?