Planning for Success

As in our other writing units this year, we are using the P.O.W.E.R. writing method.  (Plan, Organize, Write, Edit, and Revise)  Our draft plans are helping us to plan and organize our writing, which will help us make stronger drafts when we actually begin to write.  The goal is for all students to have completed the draft plans for the first three chapters by this Friday.  This includes chapter draft plans for Early Life, Education or Training, and Awards & Achievements.

We have noticed that some problems are standing in our way as we begin to piece together our plans.  Through  sharing our struggles, we have come up with solutions to these problems.

Problem 1:  A writer can't make a draft plan if they don't have enough notes.

Solution 1:  A writer can solve this problem by rereading their book to take more notes or by getting more/new resources (ex. online articles, books, etc.) at home, the bookstore, and/or the library.  Remember, Mrs. Z had to use three books and a website during her research.  Often times, one resource is not enough and it is helpful to compare multiple writers on a topic to make sure the authors got their facts right!

Problem 2:  A writer can't finish the draft plans quickly enough because it takes a long time to make full sentences for the main idea and supporting detail parts of the plan.

Solution 2:  A writer can solve this problem by remembering that this is just a plan and not the actual draft.  The main idea is helpful to have in full sentence form so you can easily tell what supporting details fit in that section.  However, the supporting details can still appear in note form.  We will spend time developing super sentences when we begin writing and revising our work.

Problem 3:  A writer cannot understand what they meant on their draft plan because they used very general terms.  (ex.  George Washington...trained hard when training)

Solution 3:  A writer can solve this problem by going back to their notes and looking for the specific details that can make that general statement more meaningful. (ex.  George Washington...trained hard by rock climbing when training to become military general)

We have worked through the planning process by helping Mrs. Z and Miss Hoffmann with their draft plans on Anne Frank.  Here is an example of a paragraph we planned as a whole group using our class notes.

Here are some examples of student work that was completed during the work period.
Thomas Edison Note Sample:

Thomas Edison Draft Plan Sample:

Ben Franklin Sample Draft Plan:

Abraham Lincoln Sample Draft Plan:

So, question time!  Are you going to make the deadline this Friday???  If not, seek help right away; don't keep it a secret.  Your teachers love you and think you're great writers, and great writers do their best work when they make plans for success.