Using NoRedInk to Support Writing across the Curriculum
Writing throughout the school day is key to boosting students’ writing abilities.
Below are some ideas for writing across the curriculum, particularly in science and social studies.
Use writing to make student thinking visible
Starting a new semester and want students to reflect? Priming students for a debate? 5–10 minute writing assignments are a great way to get students thinking. Assign writing in a variety of genres with Reflect, Argue, Describe, and other kinds of prompts in our Fluency and Fun Quick Writes library.
Start class consistently with bell-ringers
Get students focused and writing at the beginning of any class with one of our Bell-Ringer prompts, or create your own.
Check for understanding with exit tickets
Assign an exit ticket to track students’ understanding at the end of every class. You can create your own or choose from our library of Exit Tickets.
Get students writing on science and social studies topics
Assign frequent, low-stakes writing on topics students have been studying using Science and Social Studies Quick Write prompts. Take advantage of the “Create Your Own” option to add prompts and texts you’re already using or provide students with mentor texts that model subject-specific kinds of writing.
Have students write about key themes or essential questions in your curricula using Texts by Theme Quick Write prompts. Many of these thematic texts discuss science and social studies topics like technology, nature, and identity.
Give students subject-specific guidance on their writing. Remind them to apply subject-specific skills by customizing prompts with your own rubrics and focus points. Use comments to give students feedback, then return their work for revision(multiple times if needed!).
Reinforce key writing skills across classes
Many of the skills that students learn in ELA—like writing claims and finding evidence—are foundational in other classes as well. Give students extra practice with these skills using our writing Practice topics.
Middle and high school teachers: Support students with composing strong claims using the Topic Sentences or Thesis Statements Modules.
Assess student understanding in writing
Have students show what they know in any class by assigning summative and formative writing assessments. You can add your own assessment questions using the “Create Your Own” Quick Write option. If your students need more writing support, provide them with built-in scaffolding and exemplars using Guided Essays and Guided Short Response.
Elementary school teachers: Give students paragraph-writing supports using Guided Short Response. These built-in writing tips can free you up to focus instruction on more subject-specific content. Use the Nonfiction Text Response and Opinion prompts in our library, or add your own prompts and texts using the “Create Your Own” option.
Middle and high school teachers: Assign argumentative, expository, or narrative essays using Guided Essays. Guided Essays give students writing tips, scaffolding, and exemplars tailored to each genre, which means you can focus on your content rather than writing instruction. Take advantage of the premade Guided Essay prompts and texts, or use the “Create Your Own” option.
Increase writing time without increasing grading
When assigning a Quick Write, choose the grading option “Automatic: Word Count.” The assignment will be graded automatically based on completion while holding students accountable to a minimum length—more writing reps for students minus the extra grading!