beyond the constructed response

[Sandra Madura]

I teach fourth-grade at Florence Drake Elementary School in Sparks.  We have a little over half second language learners; all are low income with almost 70% free and reduced lunch.  

My presentation is about teaching the test writing format of constructed response.  This is the last thing I thought I'd ever present on.  However, I have worked to teach and to use this format to expand children's reading comprehension as well as their writing skill.  Responding to the prompt appropriately is the trick.  Many of my students don't understand what is being asked and then feel overwhelmed when they try to respond.  Having a working knowledge of a written format often takes the guesswork out of responding.  We focus on finding key words within the prompt  that should be included in the written answer and then on locating the details within the written text.  

Beyond the testing situation, constructed response has been my avenue into writing literary responses to reading as well as essay writing.   Even though I rail against the amount of assessment and testing we are asked to complete, I have tried to work with the "system" to guide my students to become better writers.

I'm hoping all of you will be able to find some small nugget to use in your instruction.

[Allie Eckert]

I am so glad to hear that you are presenting on this topic! While it seems that today's world of education is overwhelmed with assessments, the down and dirty truth is that this isn't going to be changing anytime soon. Therefore, as teachers, we must teach our kids to be successful on these assessments.

I am incredbly interested to see the format that you use with your students. I too have used the constructed response format as a standard practice in my classroom both on assessments, and any type of literary response asked of them. I have always used to method off of writing fix where in the students re-state their question, give their gist answer, back up their gist with evidence, and then wrap it up. I have found this incredibly successful, even with my low readers, as the format never changes, and they feel comfortable with the structure. While some students still struggle with responding appropriately, it is exciting when they begin answering questions in this manner both written and orally.

I can't wait to add more to my toolbox!!

[Karen Pedersen]

Hello Sandra:

I love your topic. Constructing meaning is huge when it comes to understanding of content. Being able to construct a written response to that content is even bigger because that response demonstrates so many things to the reader: understanding, ability to synthesize information, what the writers is thinking, how the writer connects to the text, etc. When you add ELL's to the mix, not only do they need the tools and skills to understand the text, but they must also be able to demonstrate that in a written response. I am looking forward to your demonstration as all ideas and strategies in this area are going to be awesome resources.
Have you thought about strategies to help your students "disect" the question?

Have a great day, and I will see you next week.

Sincerely,
Karen Pedersen

[carol bergin]

Thanks for everything, Sandy. Look for the childern-as-poets discussion. The premise is kind of interesting - kids are naturally poets because of their "newness" and innocence.