ScaffoldingScaffolding

Essay-writing Essay-writing for Rigorous for Rigorous CoursesCourses

• Science essay-writing is like learning another language.– No introductory or concluding paragraph

needed - “fluff”– “Just the facts, mame…”– Graded only on what points that

correctly address the prompt.– Timed

Teach Essay-writingTeach Essay-writing

• First essay: (learning the skill)– Go over the format beforehand – Give them the prompt in advance– Grade rigorously; make overheads of

best (nameless) papers to go over in class

– Re-write the essay for a final grade

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

Elements of a Good essay

• Second essay: (learning to peer-grade)– Give them a choice of 3 prompts in

advance; test on one; grade rigorously

– Have students peer-grade, with both positive and negative critical comments

– Give points for productive comments– Re-write the essay for a final grade

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

• Third essay: (honing their skills)– Give them a choice of one of 3 prompts

on the test (not known in advance); grade rigorously

– Have students peer-grade, with both positive and negative critical comments

– Give points for productive comments– Re-write the essay for a final grade

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

• Fourth essay: (honing their skills)– Give them a choice of one of 2 prompts

on the test – Teach them to highlight main points– Grade rigorously– Have students peer-grade, with both

positive and negative critical comments– Give points for comments– No re-writeNo re-write

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

• Fifth essay: (writing to the clock)– Give them a choice of one of 2

prompts on the test– Teach them to “splash down” key

concepts before writing– Tell them they have ___ min. to work – Have students peer-grade– Re-write for final grade

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

• Sixth essay: (writing to the clock)– Give them a choice of one of 2

prompts on the test – Insist on at least one diagram or

graph within the essay– Tell them they have ___ min. to work– Have students peer-grade– Re-write for final grade

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

• Seventh essay: (mastering the skill)– Give only one, clear prompt (a main

concept for the unit)– Insist on at least one diagram and

highlighting within the essay– Tell them they have ___ min. to work– No re-writeNo re-write

Spiral the SkillSpiral the Skill

AP Science EssaysAP Science Essays• At least one lab question is now asked each

year. The format is either “Design a lab to show...” – Describe the appropriate apparatus,

procedure, use of a control, proper sample size, control of variables and give expected results

OR

• A description of a lab or case study is given, with the results obtained– Create a graph, properly titled, and

analysis the results thoroughly, sometimes with statistics

– Validate or invalidate your hypothesis

AP Science EssaysAP Science Essays

Developed byDeveloped by Anne F. MabenAnne F. Maben

Science CoachScience CoachUCLA Science ProjectUCLA Science Project

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