Contents
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Meet the Author
Section 1 – The Rush to Constructed Responses
Chapter 1 – Constructed Responses for Assessment and Learning
Chapter 2 – The Five Key Practices of Constructed Responses for Learning
Chapter 3 – An Interactive Log of Constructed Responses
Section 2 – Critical-Thinking Strategies that Fine-Tune Constructed Responses for
Emerging and Independent Writers
Chapter 4 – Something on the Page that Helps You Remember What You Were Thinking
Chapter 5 – Free Writing Rigorous Thought
Chapter 6 – Recalling Knowledge as Chunks in Writing
Chapter 7 – Sharpening Understanding of Closely Related Words
Chapter 8 – Arriving in a World of Analogies
Chapter 9 – From General to Specific
Chapter 10 – Analyzing for Meaning
Chapter 11 – Prepping for Arguments
Section 3 – An Ultimate Learning Routine
Chapter 12 – Putting it All Together
Chapter 13 – Launching a Parting Shot
Deborah Paine, Professor of Education, Valdosta State University, Georgia –
In “Constructed Responses for Learning,” Dr. Combs reveals the power of writing as the ultimate learning tool. His vast knowledge of working with teachers on how to successfully engage students in a writing routine is evident in this work. Teachers and their students will greatly benefit from using the cogent techniques and guidelines presented in this book.
Donna Knight, 5th Grade Teacher, Woodstation Elementary School, Rock Spring, Georgia –
Combs has provided teachers with an exceptional methodology for students to analyze, explain, and respond to their learning. Having used many of these strategies, I can verify that his journaling techniques allow students of varying abilities to exemplify deeper knowledge and attain confidence in their speaking and writing skills. Students self-assess their work using a simplified symbol system that provides immediate feedback for both the student and teacher.
Staci Haag, Language Arts Instructor, Dakota Valley High School, North Sioux City, South Dakota –
The journal strategies in this book not only promote deep thinking and analysis skills, but also allow students to meet the Common Core State Standards in an insightful way. The teacher can easily implement the strategies in any subject area.
Shannah Mabry, Instructional Support Specialist, Greenville, Georgia –
Constructed Responses for Learning provides a consistent approach to teaching students how to compose short written responses, which are supported by key content vocabulary, participation in student-centered academic conversations, and self-assessment. Teachers and students can use the constructed responses to determine student mastery of standards, leading to data-driven decisions during instructional planning. These strategies will raise the expectations and rigor for student thinking in any classroom in which they are implemented.
Debra Lawrence –
As a 4th-grade math and science teacher, these strategies gave me a way to bring writing into my classroom with little fuss. The kids said the prompts were like puzzles and fun to figure out, especially the Quad Cluster. I will use them always.