Using NoRedInk in Common Instructional Models

Overview

Looking for ways to seamlessly integrate NoRedInk assignments into your classroom structure? We’ve assembled some suggestions for using NoRedInk within four common instructional models.

Gradual Release

In a gradual release, or “I Do, We Do, You Do,” model, teachers begin with direct instruction, move into guided or paired practice, and finally release students to work independently. NoRedInk can support each phase of this instructional model.

“I Do”	Use NoRedInk’s pre-teaching resources to introduce or review a concept with a mini-lesson.
“We Do”	Click the icon on any topic to preview Practice questions. You can project sample questions at the front of the room, then call on students to think-aloud their responses and reasoning. Alternatively, project a Quick Write or Guided Draft onto the board for guided, collaborative writing at this stage.
“You Do”	Assign NoRedInk Practice or Writing activities where students will independently engage with the skills from the mini-lesson and guided practice.

Stations

NoRedInk Practice and Writing assignments are excellent options for station work. After receiving direct instruction on a topic, students can apply what they learned in stations, or receive additional instruction in a small group.

Teacher-led Stations

Engage in a pre-writing conference. Ask students to bring a completed pre-writing resource and lead a process of guided revision and feedback before students begin drafting.

Host a Guided Draft preview. Introduce a Guided Draft assignment by unpacking the prompt and rubric, and exploring the scaffolding resources available.

Provide support on Practice assignments, particularly for skills where students might struggle. Model Practice questions and re-teach to address students’ misconceptions as they surface. 

 

Independent Stations

Assign targeted Practice. NoRedInk Practice is well-suited for station work due to its mastery-based, adaptive nature. To ensure student independence, be sure to pre-teach before stations. 

Assign a skill-building Quick Write. These prompts allow students to get experience applying specific writing skills in their writing. 

Assign a portion of a Guided Draft. Guided Drafts provide scaffolding and support while students write, limiting questions and allowing for more independence.

Writer’s Workshop

In a Writer’s Workshop model, students spend the majority of the class period writing independently after a teacher-led mini-lesson. Although Writer’s Workshop models may vary from classroom to classroom, NoRedInk’s writing activities can save teachers time and organizational effort at each stage of the process. 

Writer’s Workshop Step	NoRedInk Resources
Mini-Lesson	Introduce or review writing concepts using Interactive Tutorials and Lessons. 💡Pro-tip: This is an excellent time to utilize a mentor text to analyze an author’s craft. Use one of our mentor texts for practicing specific skills, or choose any of the works included with our text-based Quick Writes.
Draft and Conference	Students draft a portion of a piece of writing in a Quick Write or a Guided Draft. If you’d like students to make revisions, select the “Send back for revision” option when grading to allow students to return to their work and resubmit. Consider using prior writing or Practice results to inform your daily conferences.
Share and Reflect	Project a student exemplar using the “View writing” option, and ask students to reflect on the decisions the student made in their writing.  Assign a Quick Write that asks students to reflect on their work; either make your own or assign a pre-made activity.

Targeted Intervention 

When students need an added layer of support, NoRedInk can simplify the process of developing and delivering targeted intervention. NoRedInk data illuminates areas of growth, while Practice and Writing activities facilitate re-teaching and assessment.

Planning	Use prior data (Practice results or writing samples) to identify skills that need additional support. Rubric scores from Quick Writes and Guided Drafts can also supply at-a-glance data to help make these determinations.
Support	Utilize the “Preview” button to model and think-aloud with Practice questions as a way to support student mastery and correct misconceptions. Consider assigning different topics to students based on the level of need. Students struggling with a concept could benefit from topics earlier in a Pathway, which are more foundational.
Reassessment	To reassess writing, you may return the original assignment for revision, or provide another opportunity to practice skills with a new prompt. For a quantitative reassessment, use a Growth Quiz to create a quick check for understanding on a topic.

💡Looking to support virtual or asynchronous instruction? Check out our distance learning recommendations!