Making Connections: Science, Research, and Graphic Organizers

Brenda Hill
Feb 09, 2009

As educators we know that writing development is important for ALL students. We also know the importance of having students use and demonstrate an understanding of the writing process.  Research (D.B. Reaves, Accountability in Action:  A Blueprint for Learning Organization) shows that writing in all disciplines increases student achievement. It IS necessary to have a scheduled writing time each day but, even more importantly, students should be given the opportunity to write in and about all subjects. 
 
Writing assignments based upon content allow teachers the flexibility to "teach" writing in the content areas, as well as during the English language arts block. When we do this, students begin to make connections and transfer knowledge from one subject to another. By having students write about a topic from content we are addressing several standards within one task/assignment. For example, a fifth grade class in West Virginia was learning about weather in science. During this time a "weather" writing assignment was made. Students used the completed graphic organizers from acquisition lessons, researched information about weather on the internet in the computer lab, and used their textbooks to write the assigned composition. In addition, the application of the writing process was being used for the enhancement of each student's writing development. When the assignment was completed, English language arts, technology/media, science, and research state standards had been taught. WOW!!! What a great way to make connections for students!!!
 
Let us continue to prepare and 'grow' our students for the future by allowing them to become more fluent readers and better writers through the use and application of content knowledge.

 
Learn more about writing assignments in our Writing Assignments and Benchmark Assessments books and flipchart.