Series Success at the Core: Active and Exploratory Instruction: Moving Beyond Brainstorming

ELA.W.7.4

Common core State Standards

  • ELA:  English Language Arts
  • W:  Writing Standards 6-12
  • 7:  7th Grade
  • 4: 
    Produce clear and coherent writing in which
    the development, organization, and style are
    appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
    (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are
    defined in standards 1-3 above.)

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

Exploring Predictions
Analyzing Data in Small Groups
Facilitating Academic Discourse
Building a 3-D Model
Fraction Manipulatives
Facilitating Peer Learning
A Descriptive Writing Experience
Currently Playing
Moving Beyond Brainstorming
The Big Brain: A Cooperative Learning Protocol
Inquiry-Based Discussion

Moving Beyond Brainstorming

Lesson Objective: Prepare to write expository essays by learning and practicing a "piling" categorization method
Grade 7 / ELA / Writing
ELA.W.7.4

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

  1. What can you learn from Ms. Fansler's "baby steps" approach to writing?
  2. What is the purpose of the "thematic piling" strategy?
  3. How does the teacher make this strategy relevant to students?

8 Comments

  • Private message to Adam Galchus

Adam Galchus May 4, 2020 10:39am

These students are very imaginative and I love the fact how they can process all of this information, related to the media.

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  • Private message to Lindsey Homan

Lindsey Homan Feb 14, 2017 1:54pm

Is there a place I can find the unit plan for this? What was done before and after? This is a great concept!
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  • Private message to Nicolette Hagstrom

Nicolette Hagstrom Sep 3, 2015 10:03pm

This is such a wonderful strategy. I'm definitely going to try this when we do expository writing. Piles is a genius term to ensure categorization make sense- my students with learning differences are really going to grasp it this time around. Thanks for sharing!
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  • Private message to LeighAnn

LeighAnn Apr 5, 2015 11:06am

I'm so impressed with you and your ideas! I'm going to try this! I would love to come watch you! You seem like an amazing teacher.
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  • Private message to Chrissie Taylor

Chrissie Taylor Aug 9, 2014 11:27pm

I love this idea - grouping ideas into categories can not only make writing topic sentences easier but also ensures the sequence and structure of students' writing is much clearer and better thought out. I have used a similar strategy with older students (I just called it 'categorising ideas') but I like the student-friendly term 'piling' to use with juniors. Will definitely try this one out!
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Materials

School Details

Covington Middle School
11200 Ne Rosewood Rd
Vancouver WA 98662
Population: 1021

Data Provided By:

greatschools

Teachers

Karrie Fansler

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