Responding to Writing Prompts - Writing Lab Pre-Writing Module

In this module, we practice strategies for deciphering and effectively responding to complex writing prompts, such as the ones you would find on an Advanced Placement English Exam, the SAT, or the ACT. This one-week mini-unit consists of two engaging instructional videos, a daily bellwork routine, a practice activity, and a quiz.

Writing Lab Modules are designed as a way to teach specific writing and revision strategies that can be put to use immediately in students’ writing. Many of these concepts don’t have right or wrong answers, but there are some revision rules-of-thumb that the students can benefit from. While these units cover Common Core concepts, the focus is more practical—it’s not about covering bases, checking boxes, or cramming for state tests; it’s about helping students improve their writing.

The Writing Lab curriculum can be used in a traditional classroom setting, but it is also well-suited for a FLIPPED CLASSROOM or a 1 TO 1 TECHNOLOGY SETTING in which students could watch the instructional video outside of class and then come prepared to ask questions about the bellwork practice pieces.

THIS UNIT'S TOPIC:

This unit focuses on deciphering and then responding to complex prompts. Students practice specific strategies for analyzing prompts, identifying key words from the prompt, and then using those key words to generate a first-draft thesis statement.

INCLUDED IN THIS UNIT:

* 2 instructional videos that introduce new concepts and teach revision strategies with examples

* 4 days of bellwork activities in an interactive PowerPoint

* 1 unit quiz with answer key

* 3 practice activities with answer keys

* A printable version of the daily bellwork for students who missed a day (or for students who need a physical copy)

For those of you familiar with my TEN-MINUTE GRAMMAR Units, this Writing Lab series is intended as a next level and continuation. New units will be released on a regular basis over the next year until the full curriculum is finished.

CHECK OUT THE OTHER UNITS IN THE WRITING LAB CURRICULUM:

WORD CHOICE BUNDLE:

Reducing Be Verbs

Eliminating Lame Words

Avoiding Word Repetition

Vague Pronouns

Inflated Vocabulary

Weakening Statements

Using Word Connotations

Responding to Writing Prompts

Writing Thesis Statements

Improving Thesis Statements ONE

Improving Thesis Statements TWO

Effective Introductions: Creating Context

Effective Introductions: Attention Grabbers

Body Paragraph Structure

Transitions and Connections

Irrelevant and Redundant Ideas

Conclusion Paragraphs

These are hot off the press, so if there is an error somewhere, please let me know and I'll get it fixed right away. I'm excited to hear your feedback. Please leave a review!

Enjoy!

Created by Arik Durfee