scaffolding writing instruction

Writing is one of the most effective ways we can assess our student's knowledge. Using writing activities in the content areas allows students to apply their content knowledge rather than just recall it. However, not all students come into the upper grades understanding what writing looks like in different classes. Many students do not think that writing is something they have to do except in English Language Arts. It is imperative that students learn not only to think like historians, scientists, and mathematicians but to read and write like them as well.

When students are not writing much in class, are not writing well, or are refusing writing assignments there is usually a problem in one of two areas: 1. motivation and engagement 2. understanding what and how to write for that class. Like reading, scaffolding writing instruction can help students:

focus their writing

plan out their thoughts, evidence, and details into manageable chunks

make their writing more clear

apply their content knowledge

receive helpful feedback on specific content they do not show mastery of

use metacognitive strategies to retain content