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Submit by September 25, 2010!!!
Public Online Rating to begin on October 13, 2010!!!
EdSteps Writing
EdSteps is intended to be a large, web-based public library of student work samples in key skill areas. For each skill area, student work will be presented in a continuum — a gradual progression — from emerging to accomplished work.
Rather than assessing work based on a pre-set rubric, EdSteps uses student work as the starting point.
The EdSteps Writing Continuum will give you and your students:
• An unprecedented look at what readers of varied ages and backgrounds value in writing.
• Access to a wide range of writing examples from across the country that illustrate effective writing.
• Reference points to determine student growth in writing.
• The ability to chart improvement in students’ writing over the school year and over their entire educational careers.
Help build the EdSteps Writing Continuum
You can help build the EdSteps Writing Continuum. Building the continuum will require at least 4,000 writing samples. As of August 5, 2010, EdSteps has collected nearly 3,500 pieces of writing!
The samples will have to represent a broad spectrum of student work in terms of grade level, demographics, ability level, and geography.
EdSteps seeks samples of writing:
• From students in early childhood and elementary, middle, and high school.
• From college and graduate students.
• From writers in the workplace.
• From teachers of all subject areas.
• For any audience or purpose.
• In any form, genre, or media. Writing samples can include images, charts, or other graphics.
• From students in the United States and around the world.
How to submit writing samples:
Writing samples can be submitted through September 2010. Students are encouraged to upload their writing samples online and teachers are encouraged to upload work on behalf of themselves and their students. Participation is easy.
• Create an EdSteps account here. Having an account will allow you to easily upload student work samples and have the opportunity to review student work. All of the personal contact information you provide when you register and upload work samples will be confidential and not shared or sold to any third party. Students must be 13 years of age or older to create an EdSteps account.
• Participate offline. If your school is not equipped with sufficient electronic equipment to participate, please call 202-336-7032 or e-mail help@edsteps.org for information about how to mail student work to EdSteps at no charge.
Note that when you submit, you will need contact information for the author's parent or guardian, if the author is under the age of 18. A copy of the permission slip can be found here. You will also be asked a few simple questions about each piece of work, a copy of these questions can be downloaded here.
Resources for Writing:
Here are a few helpful resources related to writing.
ReadWriteThink.org provides direct, ready-to-use lesson plan banks across curriculum and grade levels.
National Gallery of Writing
The National Gallery of Writing provides a wide variety of samples of writing and a means to search for whatever type of writing you would like to see.
Teacher's College Reading and Writing Project
This Web site provides a variety of resources related to writing, including assessment tools and helpful articles.
Ohio State Digital Storytelling
Provides examples of digital storytelling through short (3-5 minute) movies which uses images, voice, and music to tell a story.
StudentPublishing.com is dedicated to providing special publishing opportunities to students and schools. Their mission is to support teachers with special projects that help inspire the writer in all students. They believe in the motivational power of teachers and will strive to assist you in your endeavor to develop students to find their creative and expressive selves.
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