This student was a fairly good writer. However, through writing assessment feedback for the state writing test, I discovered she was lacking in using grade level vocabulary. She was not alone. In this assignment, students used the word wall and wrote a story using at least 7 vocabulary words. I used this assignment many times and many students starting using previously studied vocabulary words in other journal entries as well!




The following student never spoke in class. This was one of the only ways I could learn about her as a student. Although she wrote entries that were more private, I felt that this exerpt represents a great conversation starter for me to help the student share with other classmates and myself. She really seemed to like journaling and did not mind talking with me about writing-- I am still trying to get this student to participate in class!



The last sample I have included was a response to a story called, "A Mason-Dixon Memory." After reading the story students engaged in a "dialogue" with the author and the issue of race. They were asked to write if a color-blind society is possible. This student (although kind of hard to read) uses the text to respond to the question and formed an interesting response.