In Common:
Effective Writing for All
Students
A Common Core Implementation
Resource for Writing instruction
A joint project of
Student Achievement Partners and The Vermont Writing Collaborative…
SAP
In Common
A Common Core Implementation Resource for Writing Instruction
Purpose:
• Develop a clearer understanding of the
qualities of effective writing as described in
the Common Core Standards.
• Provide some examples of how writing can be
meaningfully integrated into the curriculum.
The Process
How were papers collected and reviewed?
• Request for papers
• Work with SAP and Lead Writers of the CCSS to
understand writing types
• Packets assembled
• Two day retreat
• Annotations
• Review/Feedback
• Second call for papers
• More feedback and informal field testing
What is “In Common”?
A collection of annotated student samples K-12.
• On Demand Writing
• Range of Writing
On Demand Writing
Uniform Prompts
• Three Writing Types K-12
• Text Based – 2-3 class sessions
• Similar Prompts K-5 and 6-12
Purpose:
• Highlight the developmental progressions in the
standards
• Build an understanding of grade specific
expectations
Grade 1 Informative Explanatory Prompt
Grade 1 Informational/Explanatory
Water Conservation
Student Directions Day 1
Directions should be read aloud and clarified by the teacher
Today, you are going to get ready to write an informational piece to answer this question:
What can you do to save water?
Day 1 Get ready to write.
1. Watch the video, The Adventures of EcoRilla.
2. Discuss this question briefly with your classmates: Why is it important to save water?
3. Listen to the Readers’ Theatre: Water Wise-All About Water Conservation carefully.
4. What can you do to save water? Turn and talk to a partner about what you could do.
5. Fold a piece of paper into quarters. Pick at least four things that you could do to save
water. Draw a picture of each to show what you chose.
Grade 5 Informative Explanatory Prompt
Grade 5 Informational/Explanatory Writing Prompt
Copy for students
Directions should be read aloud and clarified by the teacher
Water Conservation
Student Directions Day 1
Today, you are going to prepare to write an informational essay to answer this question:
What can you do to save water?
Day 1 Get ready to write.
1. Watch the video: Water Conservation Tips.
2. Discuss this question briefly with your class: Why is it important to save water?
3. Listen to the article: Save our Water! carefully. You may want to take notes for your essay as you read.
4. What can you do to save water? Turn and talk to a partner about what you could do. You each have
three minutes to explain what you would do and why.
5. On a piece of lined paper, write your name and grade, the date, the name of your school and your
state, and your teacher's name. You will use this paper tomorrow for writing.
What can you do to save water?
Kindergarten
Response
What can you do to save water?
Grade 3
Response
What can you do to save water?
Grade 5
Response
Grade 8 Informative Explanatory Prompt
Grade 11-12 Informative Explanatory Prompt
“What effect did the Great Depression
have on people who lived through it?”
Grade 8
Response
“What effect did the Great Depression
have on people who lived through it?”
Grade 11-12
Response
Range of Writing
• Classroom Samples K-12 to illustrate CCSS 10:
writing for a range of discipline specific tasks,
purposes and audiences
Purpose:
• Breadth
• Ideas for integration
Writing in the Classroom!
For use by educators, administrators and students…
• Several versions of each piece
• Available electronically on achievethecore.org
Annotated
Not Annotated
Edited for Student Use
Some Clarifications:
• Examples of competent writing at each grade
level, not benchmarks.
• Chosen specifically to illustrate CCSS Writing
Standards 1, 2 and 3 (Argument/Opinion,
Informative/Explanatory and Narrative).
Mastery of conventions was not evaluated in
choosing and annotating these pieces.
How can you use In Common?
• To help both students and teachers better
understand the qualities of effective writing.
• To provide a foundation for analysis and
discussion that can lead to a deep and
nuanced understanding of the Common Core
Writing Standards.
A Work in Progress…
The CCSS are meant to broaden, not narrow, our
understanding of effective writing.
This resource has a similar purpose.
In Common is intended to be a “living
document”, which will be added to, revised,
and improved as more teachers and students
work with the Common Core State Standards.
We welcome your feedback and ideas as we
move forward in this process.
Presenters’ Names
www.vermontwritingcollaborative.org
For more information, contact:
Diana Leddy
Educational Consultant
everywritevt@aol.com
Joey Hawkins
Educational Consultant
joeylornell@gmail.com
In Common:
Effective Writing for All
Students
A Common Core Implementation
Resource for Writing instruction