Writer's Craft assessment

Secondary level assessment

In a secondary classroom, time restrictions can cause difficulties when undertaking Writer's Craft, especially when the initial discussion of the text is teacher-led.

To deal with this problem the same stimulus text can be used for levels D and E. The majority of pupils in an S1/S2 class will be at one or other of these levels. The whole class can (by sharing texts) be led through a discussion of:

1. the procedure to be followed,
2. an initial consideration of the salient features of the given text.

Those at levels D and E can then be separated into groups to discuss their text and make notes on it. Level F pupils should be similarly grouped to analyse their task and should be able to proceed without too much teacher intervention.

Meanwhile, the teacher can lead those at levels B and C in discussion of their text. There are fewer aspects of the text to consider at these levels, which should allow the teacher time to get an overview of discussions in the other groups before the class proceeds to writing.

Where there are level A pupils, specific arrangements will have to be made and this should be discussed with the principal teacher and support for learning.

Primary level assessment

In a primary classroom, the time constraints would not be as significant because pupils are in class for most of the time and are already arranged in groups according to reading level. Additionally, there is less likely to be such a broad spread of ability as is common in a secondary classroom.

The following numbers of Writer's Craft assessments are likely to be fairly typical:

• P4: two assessments - Level A and Level B/C
• P5: one assessment - Level B/C
• P6: two assessments - Level B/C and Level D/E
• P7: two assessments - Level B/C and Level D/E