Andrew Sharos, former APUSH teacher and current AP. Author of @All4sand5s by @dbc_inc and moderator of #APTeach chat every first Wednesday of the month at 8PM CST!
A1: The combination of claim & evidence seems to have application across many disciplines. Many tests are asking our students to take a stand on an issue or problem, & defend it using evidence from a text set or from interpretation. It's a transferable skill to real life #APTeach
A1: Ss need to support their ideas. I imagine they also need to explain that support. In addition, kiddos need to organize their writing and utilize transitions. I think these are qualities of writing that cross areas of AP as well as benefit kiddos in the long run. #apteach
Yes. And teaching students how to determine credibility is key. Easy for students to take a stand and find a vague source to justify- however teaching and modeling credible sources for claim and evidence is imperative. #APTeach
A1: for #APUSH, #APWorld#APgopo S’s must learn same skills (context, thesis, argument, use of evidence) these skills also transfer across other disciplines #APTeach
A2: I have not been subject to collaborating with another AP teacher about writing, but it would be beneficial for the kiddos. It would be nice to have a school in which the writing that is completed for one test is also assessed in the writing/ELA program. #apteach
A2: Absolutely! With certain disciplines, the prompts are very similar and the rubrics demand some of the same criteria. #APLit and #APLang should be talking a ton to #APUSH and #APEuro#APTeach
Question 3: How do we navigate the different messages and instructions we give to students about writing expectations and what good writing looks like? Because it differs from teacher to teacher, right? And is that fair? #APTeach
A3: I think it is essential that students learn the same format; however, in the case of AP, different subjects require different writing. I think this shows the kiddos' expertise. #apteach
A3: We must seek out every opportunity to speak the same language as our colleagues about writing. Students deserve a common message, and if not, we have to be aware of what other teachers are asking them to do, write, and evaluate as "good writing" #APTeach
I love the focus on writing for a specific audience. Those Science folks want something different than the Social Studies folks. But style, transitions, strong verbs, content specific vocabulary, etc.. That binds us! #APTeach
I agree that there are commonalities but even style varies depending on purpose. My AP Gov colleague expects very diff kind of thesis statement and getting right to facts first. No fluff. #APTeach
Perhaps AP Psych is the most informal of writing? Not really sure, but there are no intro or conclusion paragraphs and it's basically understood to just answer the question...no fluff.
Ss need to understand that writing in different classrooms is domain-specific. #apteach
A4: I have seen real improvement and focus my not included practice tests in the grade. Students can take risks without fearing it will impact grade.#apteach
A4: Ss need to practice reading and be cognizant of the subject specific AP rubric. They do not need to earn a grade based on it, but they need to know the writing requirements. They would also benefit from cross-curricular forums. Bring the subjects together... #apteach
A4: I have seen real improvement and focus my not included practice tests in the grade. Students can take risks without fearing it will impact grade.#apteach
A4. I do FRQ Friday in APHG to really get to the heart of all parts of the writing. I like to have them discussing, reading, writing, reflecting, etc. as often as possible.#APTeach
I learned a lot from the AP Lit reading, so I always teach my kiddos how to score essays as well. Seeing the good, the bad, and the ugly is a great way to foster growth. #apteach
I give my Ss legal pads where they do all their timed writes and revisions. So that they can look at first one and see the growth. They also reflect on each timed writing with a protocol. #APTeach
Question 5:
@All4sand5s suggests to never grade papers by hand, but to sit down with students side by side, and give verbal and written feedback in the form of a writing conference. What are the opportunities and roadblocks to doing this in your class? #APTeach
Question 5:
@All4sand5s suggests to never grade papers by hand, but to sit down with students side by side, and give verbal and written feedback in the form of a writing conference. What are the opportunities and roadblocks to doing this in your class? #APTeach
Q5: I've done both. I know the "grade" is not the point and I preach that, but for a lot of my seniors, that's the motivation. I put comments/score on it, and I confer. #APTeach
A5: Of all the tactical things we did in class, writing conferences was the most impactful. Written feedback is rarely read, and students usually care about the grade on the last page. Make writing feedback personal! #APTeach
A4. TIME is the biggest road block right now...I have 100 AP students and that is freaking me out, I want to try it. I can see the benefit. I am trying to see if I can do it in a Titan Time period we offer each week. #apteach
A4: modeling, teach the rubric early on, writing conferences and rewrites, use the score to convert to grade, make students write in sentences instead of bullet points #APTeach
A5: I would love to run a classroom without grades. My kiddos grow so much throughout the year, but they are so upset at the beginning. I conference with them as much as possible. I also try to have them self-assess, so they can make their own path to improvement. #apteach
Good writing is good thinking. Writing can be "pretty" and conventionally correct, but no substance. It has to has to have in-depth thinks. And creative assignments prompt that. #APTeach
A couple of times I have just put x's at the end of lines with mistakes and gave them comments without a grade. The grade posted 48 hours later. They were revising their essays before they even knew if their grade required it. #lovedit#apteach
A6: For the #APUSHExam it's one of my top priorities bc it holds so much weight for their overall score. I "game the system" as best I can, teaching forulaic writing (which I truly hate), but helps kids perform better on the exam. #APteach
A6: At the top. Everything we do in AP Lang is about writing along with reading and Thinking. These are all equal. Daily notebook writing, mentor modelling, and in class essay writing.#APTeach
A6: 45% of our test was writing, so yes, good writing can make up for A LOT of other things when being assessed on the national exam.
1. Culture of the class
2. Reading
3. Writing
4. Content
In that order... #APTeach
A6: Writing is a MAJOR part of the AP Lit test, but most importantly, it is necessary for their lives. Whether they are taking the test or not, I want them to leave my classroom with the ability to communicate clearly. #apteach
