Quick Writes
The quick write is a literacy support tool that allows students to reflect on their learning at the beginning, middle, or end of instruction. Provide students a short, open-ended statement, and allow them to write for three-five minutes. A quick write can help students integrate new information with prior knowledge or help students reflect on and evaluate their learning.
Ideas for Quick Writes
Ideas for Quick Writes
- Things that Bug Me – students write about things that bother them
- Places This Hand/Foot Has Been – students write about places that their hands/feet have been
- Admit slips – students write on an assigned topic upon entering the classroom
- Crystal Ball – students describe what they think will happen next in a book, lab or class
- Awards – students recommend someone/something for an award the teacher creates supporting their reasons using concepts from class (“Most influential leader in WWII Award”)
- Yesterday’s news – students summarize the information from a presentation, discussion, reading, lesson from the day before
- Exit slip or ticket to leave – A closure activity where students write on an assigned prompt.
- 3-2-1 – Teacher creates writing prompts for students’ response. For example, 3 ways to identify an insect, 2 ways insects differ from spiders and 1 question I still have about insects
- Artifact prompt – Teacher sets out several “artifacts” (items around the classroom or home) and gives the students the following prompt… A good ____ is like a ____ because ____. Students explain how a concept, theme, etc. is like the artifact selected and presents reasons why. (A good lab conclusion is like a magnifying glass because it makes the important things easier to see.)
- Misconception check – Teacher presents students with common or predictable misconceptions about a concept, principle or process then asks the students whether they agree or disagree. Students explain their responses. Format can be written, oral, multiple choice or true-false. (Northern lights are caused by reflections off the glaciers)
- Brainstorming, mind dump, or topic blast - Can be used to pre-assess or gain access to prior knowledge. Teachers give students a topic or prompt in which they list or write all they know about the topic. Teachers can use this information to guide instruction.