I have been struggling for awhile to work toward implementing grammar instruction that is differentiated for individual students and is incorporated into the writing process. The following is what I plan to implement this year rather than including a comprehensive grammar workbook that is completed without any connection to the rest of the course.
Background: It is important to note that this is an online teaching environment and therefore limits and defines certain “best” practices.
The courses I teach include online asynchronous high-school English courses 8-12 using Moodle. A wide range of students are enrolled in the program for various reasons (eg. At-risk, traditional “homeschoolers”, gifted and students travelling, or in a dedicated sport). Enrollment is small for each class and students are usually at different points in the course so group activities and collaboration is difficult.
Course: My English 8 and 9 courses are contributed to a consortium of districts,where a DL teacher in a small program often has a large number of courses to manage.
Goal: Personalize each student’s writing goals using a system that is realistic for a DL teacher of many students and many courses to manage.
Plan:
Create a repository of grammar and mechanics mini-lessons in a moodle book module. Each concept would include a definition and an opportunity to practice the concept (eventually in a choice of modes like printable worksheet, interactive game, audio etc.)
Have students complete a pre-assessment of grammar skills (moodle quiz) and do a writing sample and survey questions (assignment) at the beginning.
Using a Personal Editing and Revision Template (PERT), create individual checklists and revision criteria based on pre-assessments and writing samples. This would be added to throughout the course. Each student would have roughly the same number of items to focus on, although each student’s list would be personalized for that student.
Process: (Moodle Instructions in grey)
- Student submits draft of a writing assignment after referring to rubric which includes specific grammar and usage outcomes.
(label file to be uploaded as draft+assignment title)
- Teacher gives feedback on assignment and updates and attaches PERT
(attach to assignment)
- Student revises and edits based on checklist.
- Resubmits assignment
(label finalcopy+assignmentname)
- Final mark assigned based on:
- Evidence of revision based on outcome of assignment
- Evidence of editing checklist being used.
- Summative assessment based on rubric
(put in mark and attach completed rubric)
As a final writing “exam” in the course the student incorporates all items on checklist.
Although I know grammar instruction can be approached many different ways, I would love some feedback as to how well my plan outlined above would meet my objective of differentiated instruction within the writing process WITHOUT this being too complicated and onerous for the teacher.