Wikis+and+Writing

Wikis and Writing Instruction =Informational Writing=
 * Students brainstorm ideas in a wiki.
 * Students begin crafting their informative piece.
 * Students make revisions.
 * Throughout the process, the teacher and other students can provide feedback via the discussion board or comments sections capabilities of the wiki. The writer takes that feedback into consideration during the revision process.
 * Student posts the final draft.
 * The wiki allows the student to be able to post any relevant pictures, charts, graphs, etc... within the body of the informative piece to further inform or clarify.

Example: Texas Animals Informational Wiki Mrs. Belinda Wells' 4th grade class at Laura Bush Elementary (Leander ISD)

Example: Feature Articles Ms. Kathryn Mueller's 6th L.A. class at Canyon Ridge Middle School (Leander ISD)

=Memoir Writing=
 * Students brainstorm ideas in a wiki.
 * Students begin crafting their memoir.
 * Students make revisions.
 * Throughout the process, the teacher and other students can provide feedback via the discussion board or comments sections capabilities of the wiki. The writer takes that feedback into consideration during the revision process.
 * Student posts the final draft.
 * The wiki allows the student to be able to post any relevant pictures or graphics within the body of the memoir to help entertain, inform, or clarify the piece.

Example: [|TAKS practice - Memoir Writing] Mrs. Angela Roundy's 7th grade L.A. class at Canyon Ridge Middle School (Leander ISD)

=Creative Writing=
 * Students brainstorm ideas in a wiki.
 * Students begin crafting their creative piece.
 * Students make revisions.
 * Throughout the process, the teacher and other students can provide feedback via the discussion board or comments sections capabilities of the wiki. The writer takes that feedback into consideration during the revision process.
 * Student posts the final draft.
 * The wiki allows the student to be able to post any relevant pictures or graphics within the body of the piece to help entertain, inform, or clarify.

Example: Fables for Texas Animals Mrs. Belinda Wells' 4th grade class at Laura Bush Elementary (Leander ISD)

=Persuasive Writing= = = =Literary Analysis=
 * Students brainstorm ideas in a wiki.
 * Students begin crafting their persuasive piece.
 * Students make revisions.
 * Throughout the process, the teacher and other students can provide feedback via the discussion board or comments sections capabilities of the wiki. The writer takes that feedback into consideration during the revision process.
 * Student posts the final draft.
 * The wiki allows the student to be able to post any relevant pictures, charts, graphs, etc... within the body of the persuasive piece to further persuade, inform, or clarify the persuasive argument.
 * Students brainstorm ideas in a wiki.
 * Students begin crafting their analysis.
 * Students make revisions.
 * Throughout the process, the teacher and other students can provide feedback via the discussion board or comments sections capabilities of the wiki. The writer takes that feedback into consideration during the revision process.
 * Student posts the final draft.

Example: Character Analysis from //Flowers for Algernon// Ms. Nikki Grybel's 8th grade L.A. class at Henry Middle School (Leander ISD)

=Choose Your Own Adventure=
 * Students can create their own Choose Your Own Adventure stories by using hyperlinked pages within the wiki. Instead of "turn to pg. 3 if you want to go in the door or turn to pg. 8 if you want to turn around and go back to the barn," you would have hyperlinks to click on to take you to the next part of the story.

Resource: Choose Your Own Adventure Wiki This resource has hundreds of both complete and in-process stories.

=Writing Traits/Author's Craft=
 * Students can create their own wiki page where they discuss writing traits and post examples from authors they have read.
 * Students and teachers can use the discussion board on carry on digital conversations (at their convenience) about author's craft, writing traits, mentor texts, etc...
 * Students and teachers could invite authors to join the wiki and comment on the posts.

=Vocabulary= (from "Are Your Students Using Wikis to Strengthen Vocabulary Skills?" by Patrick Ledesma)

Here are some of [|Marzano's vocabulary strategies] and why wikis are very useful:

//Wiki application:// Give the student a vocabulary word(s) and instruct them to research and write their word(s) in a way that is __understandable to their friends__. This encourages them to //restate// their explanation in their own words.
 * 1) Students restate the explanation of the new terms in their own words.**

//Wiki application:// Tell your students that they have to include a picture that illustrates their word. A picture is non-linguistic! (This is terrific for geometry!)
 * 2) Students create a non-linguistic representation of the term.**

//Wiki application:// Tell your students to give both examples and non examples of their vocabulary word. Or, they can use analogies or metaphors if your subject allows it. (Advanced user tip: using the "Tags" feature in a wiki for each definition is actually requiring students to classify their words. Neat!)
 * 3) Students periodically do activities that help them add to their knowledge and vocabulary terms.**

//Wiki Application:// Here is where things get fun. Since it's a wiki, students can edit each other's definitions. With your guidance, after students have completed their own words, you can have them look up each other's words, analyze what is written, and edit to improve the definition. Think about the higher level skills students learn and practice as they build on what their classmates have published.
 * 4) Students discuss the terms with one another.**

//Wiki Application:// When your students have finished creating the wiki, you now have a permanent and readily accessible online resource for content vocabulary. What kinds of activities for review, remediation, or enrichment can you create that will encourage your students to access their wiki regularly throughout the year? Lots of possibilities!
 * 5) Students are involved with games that allow them to play with the terms.**

Example: Vocabulary Wiki incorporating Prezi Ms. Jennifer Schuelke's 7th grade L.A. class at Canyon Ridge Middle School (Leander ISD)

Example: Wiki Vocabulary Table Ms. Nikki Grybel's 8th grade L.A. class at Henry Middle School (Leander ISD)