R.A.F.T.
,Levels PK-12 Content - Any, but particularly Social Studies, Language Arts, World Language, Sciences & CTE Courses
The RAFT Writing Strategy enables students to write from various points of view, using different genres, topics and audiences. RAFT is particularly engaging in content areas classrooms because it injects creativity into topics and pushes students to consider the depth of perspectives surrounding a topic or standard (Fisher & Frey, 2007). In short, you are assigning students a role to take, an audience to write or speak to, the format they will use, and the topic.
READ
R.A.F.T. pushes students to higher depths of knowledge by applying what they have learned to a unique and unexpected content. Directions to explicitly teaching the RAFT strategy:
Step 1
Explain that all writers need to consider four key components: the role of writer, the audience, the format and topic. Explain to students that they are going to structure their writing around these elements using the RAFT strategy. Display a completed RAFT and discuss the key elements with students. Identify important ideas or information.
Step 2
Demonstrate, model, and "think aloud" another sample RAFT exercise with the help of the class (thinking aloud allows students to see what you think by narrating how you think as you use a strategy). Brainstorm RAFT ideas about the standard or topic you are studying.
Step 3
Divide students into pairs or small groups of three or four to write about a chosen or assigned topic from the brainstormed list. Provide assistance to students as needed.
Step 4
After students become more proficient with the strategy have them create their own RAFTS based on topics studied in class.
THE COMPONENTS:
Role of the writer. What is the writer’s role: reporter, observer, eyewitness?
Audience. Who will be reading this writing: the teacher, other students, a parent, people in the community, an editor?
Format. What is the best way to present this writing: in a letter, an article, a report, a poem?
Topic. Who or what is the subject of this writing: a famous mathematician, a prehistoric cave dweller, a reaction to a specific event?
PRO TIP
PRO TIP! Extend RAFT to RAFTS by including a Strong verb or Song.
ELEMENTARY
WATCH IN SECONDARY SCIENCE
In which phases of the instructional model might this strategy be used?
