Authentic Learning and
Preparation for STAAR
by Janet Hester and Lenicia Gordon
ELAR Education Specialists
The Jeff Anderson Cycle
Region 13’s visual representation of Jeff Anderson’s Analysis Process
from the book 10 Things Every Writer Should Know.
Frommer’s Portable New Orleans
While listening to the conclusion, underline
anything that is interesting, that leaps out at
you, or that you have a question about.
Notice: First Read (Low-Stakes)
New Orleans Quick Write
• Think about your
favorite place on earth.
• Write for two minutes
about that place,
persuading someone to
visit.
Experiment: Reading/Writing Connection
Persuasive Strategies in
Frommer’s
• Reread
Frommer’s
• Highlight or
underline where
you see the
author attempting
to persuade
Interact: Second Reading (Purpose)
Think/Pair/Share
Naming: Writing, Listening, Speaking (Purpose)
Experiment with a New Strategy
• Think about what you
wrote and discussed.
• What strategy would you
want to experiment with in
your own “Favorite Place”
piece today?
• Write the strategy down
next to your quick write.
Experiment: Reading/Writing Connection
Think/Pair/Share
Think about the revision you just completed.
Complete the following sentences and then
share with a partner.
The persuasive strategy I chose was: ________________.
This improved/did not improve my writing because:
________________________________________.
Reflect: Debrief and Self-Assess
The Jeff Anderson Cycle
Region 13’s visual representation of Jeff Anderson’s Analysis Process
from the book 10 Things Every Writer Should Know.
Marathoners
• A marathoner doesn’t run a marathon a
day to prepare for a marathon
– Long runs
– Pace work
– Drills
– Planning for logistics of
long run
Tested Curriculum
2013 STAAR Questions
Example A: 4.11 Fig. 19(D)
Tested Curriculum
2013 STAAR Questions
Example B: 8.11 Fig. 19 (D)
Tested Curriculum
2013 STAAR Questions
Example D: E1.9(C)
Tested Curriculum
2013 STAAR Questions
Tested Curriculum
2013 STAAR Questions
To Prepare Students for STAAR
and College/Career Readiness . . .
• Author’s Craft/Purpose
– Recognizing author's strategies
– Analyzing effect
Analysis of
– Synthesizing effect
for purpose
MENTOR
– Effectively using Texts
strategies in own writing
• Appreciation of Written Word
• Critical Reading of Written Word
We can do all of this through . . .
What Writing Looks Like in ELAR
What Writing Looks Like in Other
Content/Electives
•
•
•
•
Exit Slips—with a clear controlling idea
Written Response—with supporting details
Silent Conversation
Other Writing Across Curriculum strategies
• Schmoker on literacy implementation:
– “systems,” “support” and “ongoing
professional development”
If Your Team Has Attended:
• Reading and Writing Across the Content
Areas
• Expository Writing
• Fun with Figure 19
• Poetry and Drama Analysis
• Reader’s Workshop
• Or any of the ELAR team’s workshops
Region 13 Product
• Published MENTOR
texts
• Student Sample Essays
– Strong
– Developing
• All passages exemplify a
writing focus
• Coaching strategies for
improving ongoing
writing instruction
Contact Us!
Lenicia Gordon
Lenicia.gordon@esc13.txed.net
Janet Hester
Janet.hester@esc13.txed.net