This We Believe
Gear-Up is sponsoring a publication opportunity for the class of 2012, based on the theme "This We Believe." We are looking for student essays about particular proverbs/dichos or values the students hold, along with examples that show the importance of these beliefs. This project is based on NPR's This I Believe curriculum. See below for a description and timeline of the project, a prompt, and a prompt fashioned to look like an AIMS exam. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Description and Timeline of the Project
This information is also available for download.
Description
The College of Humanities literacy team, graduate assistant Literacy Coaches along with Writing Specialist Peggy DeChecko, will collaborate with 10th grade teachers to develop a writing assignment in line with GEAR UP goals to increase the percentage of students who pass the AIMS Writing test in the spring of 2010 and to model and support writing workshop models and strategies for teachers and students. Students will write the essay in January and teachers will assess their writing according to the Simplified Arizona Six-Trait Rubric.
Participating teachers with support from the COH literacy team will develop strategies for presenting This We Believe project in December, generate full drafts from students in January and assess using the Six-Trait Rubric. In February, teachers with support from the COH team will plan and implement peer revision workshops, with student revisions to be submitted by Feb. 26 for publication. Final drafts will be submitted electronically and edited by the GEAR UP staff for publication in a GEAR UP book. In addition, all students featured in the book will be invited with their families to a book-signing event in April to celebrate their accomplishments. Clear submission guidelines will be shared with teachers to ensure that all student work submitted for publication will be print-ready.
Based on the NPR personal essay model, This I Believe, the assignment provides students with an authentic writing opportunity to reflect on their values and beliefs and how those beliefs were formed. Similar to the personal essay that is required for both college and scholarship application, the essay can also serve as a tool for pursuing post-secondary education. The NPR website high school curriculum will serve as a basis for the project, along with the models of student essays posted on the website. <http://thisibelieve.org>
Purposes
· To engage tenth-grade students in a writing project designed to increase the percentage of GEAR UP students who pass the AIMS writing test.
· To provide support and modeling for teachers related to writing process strategies, particularly revision and peer-group workshops.
Timeline
Dec: Identify participating teachers and create schedule for generating full drafts from students.
Feb: Develop and implement peer revision workshops; students revise for publication.
Feb 26: Deadline for student work to be turned in for publication
March: Edit and submit book to publishers print.
April: Publication Event at site.
Description
The College of Humanities literacy team, graduate assistant Literacy Coaches along with Writing Specialist Peggy DeChecko, will collaborate with 10th grade teachers to develop a writing assignment in line with GEAR UP goals to increase the percentage of students who pass the AIMS Writing test in the spring of 2010 and to model and support writing workshop models and strategies for teachers and students. Students will write the essay in January and teachers will assess their writing according to the Simplified Arizona Six-Trait Rubric.
Participating teachers with support from the COH literacy team will develop strategies for presenting This We Believe project in December, generate full drafts from students in January and assess using the Six-Trait Rubric. In February, teachers with support from the COH team will plan and implement peer revision workshops, with student revisions to be submitted by Feb. 26 for publication. Final drafts will be submitted electronically and edited by the GEAR UP staff for publication in a GEAR UP book. In addition, all students featured in the book will be invited with their families to a book-signing event in April to celebrate their accomplishments. Clear submission guidelines will be shared with teachers to ensure that all student work submitted for publication will be print-ready.
Based on the NPR personal essay model, This I Believe, the assignment provides students with an authentic writing opportunity to reflect on their values and beliefs and how those beliefs were formed. Similar to the personal essay that is required for both college and scholarship application, the essay can also serve as a tool for pursuing post-secondary education. The NPR website high school curriculum will serve as a basis for the project, along with the models of student essays posted on the website. <http://thisibelieve.org>
Purposes
· To engage tenth-grade students in a writing project designed to increase the percentage of GEAR UP students who pass the AIMS writing test.
· To provide support and modeling for teachers related to writing process strategies, particularly revision and peer-group workshops.
Timeline
Dec: Identify participating teachers and create schedule for generating full drafts from students.
Feb: Develop and implement peer revision workshops; students revise for publication.
Feb 26: Deadline for student work to be turned in for publication
March: Edit and submit book to publishers print.
April: Publication Event at site.
Prompt
Also available for download
This We Believe
Reflective Personal Essay
Assignment Summary
Each of us lives according to beliefs we hold, beliefs that define who we are and that guide our choices. Write a personal essay in which you reflect upon a personal belief you hold strongly and explain how that belief is guiding your life. How did you develop this belief? Your essay should help us understand how your belief was formed. Our beliefs often come from a family member, a teacher, a school administrator, a coach, a friend or anyone else who has served as a role model. Other times our beliefs come from a life-changing event. Consider times when your belief was formed, tested, or changed.
In writing your essay, consider the following guidelines:
· Explain one core belief you hold strongly.
· Describe how that personal belief has guided your life.
· Include an introduction, body, and a conclusion.
· Persuade a specific audience to share your belief.
· Use specific, appropriate details and events from your life.
· Focus on what you believe, not on what you don’t believe.
· Don’t preach: convince.
By working together on these essays, you will have the chance to become published authors. Essays that are revised to earn a 4 out of 6 points will be accepted for publication. All featured authors will also be invited along with their families to a publishing event in April to celebrate their accomplishment.
This We Believe
Reflective Personal Essay
Assignment Summary
Each of us lives according to beliefs we hold, beliefs that define who we are and that guide our choices. Write a personal essay in which you reflect upon a personal belief you hold strongly and explain how that belief is guiding your life. How did you develop this belief? Your essay should help us understand how your belief was formed. Our beliefs often come from a family member, a teacher, a school administrator, a coach, a friend or anyone else who has served as a role model. Other times our beliefs come from a life-changing event. Consider times when your belief was formed, tested, or changed.
In writing your essay, consider the following guidelines:
· Explain one core belief you hold strongly.
· Describe how that personal belief has guided your life.
· Include an introduction, body, and a conclusion.
· Persuade a specific audience to share your belief.
· Use specific, appropriate details and events from your life.
· Focus on what you believe, not on what you don’t believe.
· Don’t preach: convince.
By working together on these essays, you will have the chance to become published authors. Essays that are revised to earn a 4 out of 6 points will be accepted for publication. All featured authors will also be invited along with their families to a publishing event in April to celebrate their accomplishment.
AIMS-Style Prompt
Also available for download.
AIMS HS Sample Test
Writing
DIRECTIONS:Read the writing prompt below. Use the next page for your prewriting/planning. Then write your draft.
One way that our beliefs are communicated is through the use of sayings or dichos, words to live by. Many of these proverbs have the same message from one culture to another.Write an expository essay in which you explain the meaning of a dicho or a proverb that you believe in, and provide examples of how you use these words to live by.Some examples to consider:
Spanish English
No puedes chiflar y comerpinole. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.Hoy por mi, manana por ti. You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres. You are known by the company you keep.Lo que el agua trae, el agua lleva. Easy come, easy go.
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
A donde fueres, haz lo que vieres. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Mejor solo que mal acompanado. Better to be alone than to be in bad company.
El camaron que se duerme, se lo The early bird catches the worm.
llevala coriente. You snooze, you lose.
African:However long the night, the dawn will break It is always darkest before the dawn.
Native American:Tell me and I will forget. Show me
And I may not remember. Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day;
Involve me, and I will understand. Teach a man to fish and he eats forever.
AIMS HS Sample Test
Writing
DIRECTIONS:Read the writing prompt below. Use the next page for your prewriting/planning. Then write your draft.
One way that our beliefs are communicated is through the use of sayings or dichos, words to live by. Many of these proverbs have the same message from one culture to another.Write an expository essay in which you explain the meaning of a dicho or a proverb that you believe in, and provide examples of how you use these words to live by.