An informal writing tool which facilitates student reflection on their learning whereby students answer two questions: (1) what is the most important thing you learned in class today? and (2) what questions do you have about what you learned today? Students respond to the first and second questions, usually, by

An informal writing teaching tool in which the Text Boxes visually mirror the paragraphs, diagrams, and photos on a particular page. Each Text Box has two columns: the first column contains students’ notes about key facts, and the second column contains students’ reflections about the text and questions about what

An informal writing technique which provides a visual framework or organizer to guide students in their note-taking. The visual framework resembles the layout of the page, and some focus only on the text while others include illustrations, charts, and graphs.

A step in the writing process in which students modify the content based on feedback provided by peers, teachers, or their own opinions.

Within the multiple stages in the writing process, students do not simply move from one step to the next; rather, they revisit each step to complete their writing.

An informal writing technique which can help ascertain students’ prior knowledge of specific topics, monitor comprehension, or summarize newly acquired knowledge. Students write what they know about a specific topic, which can then be used to determine a starting point for teaching, to evaluate student learning, and to plan future

A step in the writing process, before submission to the teacher for evaluation, in which students review their written work, proofread, and make final edits.

A type of formal writing which emphasizes and reveals students’ positions on particular issues.

A long-term project in which students research the personal histories of an individual of their choice, conduct interviews of the person, and create a presentation which includes artifacts, a feature article, a personal memoir, and a photograph.

An inquiry-based writing activity that uses the letter format to communicate, inform, and persuade.