Report #4
FIPP Activity Report
Funded by the Basic Skills Initiative
Name Lyman Hong
Date 1/9/10
FIPP Partner Frank Jacobi
Section #6152
Activity /Strategy Goals assignment
Category 3 - Setting Classroom Expectations
Briefly describe the activity/strategy.
1. Introduction At the beginning of the semester, I had students list several midand long-term goals in their writing diagnostic. For the last assignment, I had
students re-read their diagnostic and write a two-paragraph essay in which
they were to discuss 1) ways in which their lives would change if one of the
long-terms goals were to be fulfilled and 2) several steps they would take to
reach attain that goal.
2. Set up & Supplies writing prompt
3. Directions The writing prompt was as follows:
Assignment Prompt: (Note that there will be 2 parts to this assignment prompt – parts
A and B)
A) In the first paragraph, define one long term goal and explain two ways in+ which
your life will be different In other words, you will provide 2 supporting points in
which you explain how your life will be once that goal is fulfilled. Provide specific
supporting details.
B) In a second paragraph, explain two actions you will complete in order to achieve the
goal defined above. Provide specific supporting details for each action.
4. Conclusion I think the students genuinely enjoyed this assignment based on the
informal discussions and the feedback I received. The students in English B
have both a lot of dreams and a lot of potential obstacles may obstruct the
fulfillment of those goals. The opportunity to give voice to such a goal without
too much of an authoritative filter hopefully was refreshing for them.
What worked well? The students did seem very comfortable writing about part A), the
envisioning of a fulfilled goal.
What would you change? I'd probably spend more time on part B), which a number of
students had problems with. The had difficulties coming up with concrete plans for
achieving their stated goals.
Would you use the activity/strategy again? Why or why not? Definitely. English B students
face any number of challenges and need to have the opportunity to imagine themselves
in a new and different world. I would not go as far to say that this assignment is like a
visualization technique, but anything to get these students to "see" concrete ways of
improving their lives is beneficial.
Please describe any student learning outcomes/changes that you observed after the
implementation of the activity/strategy. The activity helped students improve their writing
skills, and in particular, they wrote focused and organized paragraphs.