How can the new writing units of study raise the level of engagement and quality of student work?
I am excited to be using the new writing units of study this year. While it is always daunting for me to learn new curriculum, writing is also the most challenging curriculum area for most 4th graders. I hope the extra effort on my part will result in growth for my students. This new iteration seems like progress to me. For one thing, the online Flight component is very user friendly. All the materials are easy for me to access. I often struggle to keep the mini-lessons mini, so using the video is super helpful. Right away I saw how this could actually lead to a more efficient work-flow for me. Yay!
I also think that the new units are more efficient for students. The digital writing notebook interface seems to be easy for kids to use. Kids can access the charts connected to the lessons and there are written directions to remind them what they are doing in their writing that day. As well, the AI feedback is validating as well as precise in its recommendations. I do read all of the drafts and have only had to make a few small revisions. There is absolutely no way I could respond individually each time kids submit work, but the AI makes that possible. I think this is a win for kids.
I am hoping that this tool will help students to be more engaged raise the level of their writing with less angst, and maybe even some joy. I also hope the regular feedback with hold them more accountable. I have already seen them using the charts and rubrics more often. I may design a survey to get their feedback and share it here.
In addition to the genre units, I am excited to use Grammar and Spelling Conventions component. They seem very well organized and I have already started to use the lessons in the classroom. While we have added a new spelling program (Zaner Blosner) the Heinemann book seems much more engaging and linked to their actual writing. I want to see if there is greater transfer to their actual writing. I will certainly post progress on that as well.
Peer Comments: Hi Kate,
It's fantastic to hear about your excitement for the new writing units of study! Your proactive approach to utilizing the digital components and AI feedback demonstrates a commitment to enhancing student engagement and the quality of their work. How might you leverage student feedback from your upcoming survey to further refine your instructional strategies and ensure that the curriculum not only meets their needs but also inspires them to embrace writing as a joyful and rewarding process? This aligns beautifully with our work on A Pedagogy of Play, which emphasizes creativity and choice in learning. - Sue Luft
Hi Kate,
I love that you are using the AI component to provide regular feedback to your students. I'm really interested in finding out whether the students find this useful and if it will, in the long run, hold them more accountable. - Sarah Bhatt