Ashley Campbell

May 3, 2010

Artifact: Writing Web/ Final papers

Language Arts Standard 2

All teachers should model effective reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills during

their direct and indirect instructional activities. The most important communicator in the

classroom is the teacher, who should model English language arts skills.

The competent teacher makes sure that he or she models how an activity will be carried

out before the students are asked to do an assignment or activity. Modeling instruction allows

teachers to be prepared for students’ questions. Students will be able to see what the teacher is

asking them to do from a visual stand point. Students will have less time where they are not

working and more time where they are can stay on task and act appropriately.

The artifact I chose to use for the Language Arts standard is a writing web. When

students are writing papers I have taught them that using webs is always helpful. Webs allow

students to get their ideas about a subject matter on paper. Webs are also a list of things that

students can develop into complete sentences. During several writing assignments I have used

webs as a mini lesson during the period of a literacy block. While practicing using webs as a way

to develop writing skills and to produce a rough draft or sloppy copy, I was able to notice

students’ individual efforts. I made sure that as a teacher I model exactly what I want them to do.

Together we also come up with ideas we can use. Finally we put all of the ideas into paragraph

form. Students have a better understanding of what the teacher wants them to do when things are
modeled for them. There is also less time that the students will ask questions about what they are

supposed to do when things are modeled correctly.

For a diverse group of students who have IEPs I made sure that I developed a list of

ideas to help them write. These students have low vocabulary and spelling skills and so they

require more assistance in order to get them started. I enjoy developing activities and lessons for

the class to work on. The students who are above level typically get more of an extension added

to their problems. I require something extra to give them a better boast and to have them work

hard and put forth more effort when grade level assignments are too easy.