Teaching Tip

Writing-to-Learn Activities

Write-to-learn exercises are short; students write a few sentences, perhaps a paragraph or two. These are not usually graded, as they are pre-writing techniques to get students in the habit of collecting their thoughts, getting them down on paper, where they can be inspected, extended, organized, and revised.

See also-- writing, classroom assessment techniqes, first year students, critical thinking

To review the previous class material: Look back over your notes from last time and write a one-paragraph summary of the most important ideas discussed.

To introduce a topic or unit: Before we start, take a couple minutes to jot down what you already know about_____________.

To warm up for a discussion: Before we begin our discussion, take ten minutes to collect your thoughts in a "free write." Write whatever thoughts, ideas, or questions you have about today's topic and readings.

To prompt students to connect ideas: Look back over the topics we've discussed this week and draw a concept map--a diagram that identifies the key ideas and shows the relationships among them. Draw lines between the ideas that are related and then label the lines to indicate the nature of the relationships (e.g. cause/effect, concept/example, conclusion/evidence).

To ask students to reflect on their learning: Please take a note card and write your answers to two questions: 1-What are the two or three most important things you learned today? 2-What is one thing you are not sure you understand?

To prepare for an exam: Before we begin our review, propose three exam questions that you think would allow you to show what you've learned in this section of the course.