Written Expression
Strategy
Strategy: Writing to Learn – Written Expression
Appropriate Grade Level: 2-12
Procedures/Steps:
The purpose of this strategy is to help students think about content, reflect on their
knowledge of content, and share their thoughts with the teacher.
1. Give students a prompt.
2. Allow students to think for one minute.
3. Have students write for five minutes.
4. Teacher reviews responses.
Comments and/or tips:

Teachers utilize writing-to-learn strategies at the beginning, middle, or end of a
lesson.

This strategy can be use as an anticipatory set. Writing-to-learn is a great way to get
students ready for a topic.

This strategy can be used as a closure activity also. Students can summarize what was
most significant to them during the lesson.

Teachers can utilize this strategy to predict what to teach or reteach.
Source:
Fisher, D., Frey, N., & Williams, D. (2002). Seven literacy strategies that work.
Educational Leadership, 60(3), 70-73.