Low Stakes Writing for Fun & Fluency
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Transcript of Low Stakes Writing for Fun & Fluency
Low Stakes Writing for Fun & Fluency
Heidi FridrikssonBrunei-US English Language Fellow,
National Institute of Education in Cambodia
Overview
• Definition of low stakes writing
• Why use low stakes writing?
• Common teacher concerns
• Low stakes writing tools
What exactly is low stakes writing?
What exactly is low stakes writing?
Low Stakes High Stakes
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Journal Email to Teacher Argument Essay Exam
Why low stakes writing?
Low stakes writingdevelops fluency &
enhances engagement
Low stakes writing reduces anxiety
“a safe place to try out new language, to experiment”
-Williams, 2008
Low stakes writing allows students to
personalize their writing & find their voice in English
Common Concerns
Common Concerns
• Assessment
Common Concerns
• Assessment
• Time (in the term)
Common Concerns
• Assessment
• Time (in the term)
• Time (in the day)
Common Concerns
• Assessment
• Time (in the term)
• Time (in the day)
• Variety
Common Concerns
• Assessment
• Time (in the term)
• Time (in the day)
• Variety
• Level
Think Pair Share
Low stakes writing to prepare ideas
• Think: Ss write for a short time (2-5 min usually) on a topic
• Pair: Ss share what they wrote with a partner
• Share: Ss share answers with the full class
Try It!
Think / Pair / Share
Have you ever used low stakes writing in your teaching? What kind of low stakes writing tools did you use?
Picture Composition
Low stakes writing for mixed ability groups
• Students look carefully at the picture
• Teacher pre-teaches vocab and asks WH questions to give them ideas
• High students can write a whole story; low students can write just a few words
Multi-Entry Journals
Low stakes writing as conversation with text
The Author Says
In this space, put quotations or ideas from the reading
I Say
In this space, put down your responses to the author’s ideas
The Author Says
In this space, put quotations or ideas from the reading
I Say
In this space, put down your responses to the author’s ideas
If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must write it.
-Toni Morrison
The Author Says
In this space, put quotations or ideas from the reading
I Say
In this space, put down your responses to the author’s ideas
If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must write it.
-Toni Morrison
I’m not sure if I agree or disagree with this. I find it inspiring (I could write a book!). But I also find it scary (I don’t know if I can really write a book!) Maybe what Morrison means is that there is a writer inside everyone. We just have to find our ability and motivation.
Try It!The Presenter Says
In this space, write down one thing you found interesting in this presentation
I Say
In this space, put down your responses to this idea
Dialogue Journals
Low stakes writing as conversation with
teachers and classmates
Do you like learning new languages? Why or why not?
When you’re finished, pass this paper 3 people to the right!
Read your classmate’s ideas. Do you agree or disagree?
Try It!-Write one idea from my presentation
-Respond to that idea
-Pass your paper to a peer
-Read and respond to your peer’s thoughts
-Pass the paper back to them
Application• Which of these activities do you think
would work best for your future teaching context? Do you have any LSW tools to share?
Questions?
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