I was having a conversation with a coworker over the weekend about the value of the compare and contrast essay. Why do we do it? I understand in the AP class having to do it because it is on the test at the end of the year, but why do we focus on the compare and contrast essay in particular with on level students? Is it because we want them to be prepared for the next AP classes should the decide to take them? Is it because the skill of comparing and contrasting is important? The answer is probably some combination of all of those, but the larger issue is that kids are not arriving prepared to write and we as teachers can't continue to assume they'll get the skill in other classes or the following year.
Maybe it's because the shift to standardized testing has replaced essay writing? Kids just don't do it as much anymore. I don't base that on any research, it's just a feeling I have from talking to teachers. Is it true? This is part of a larger question about literacy, but it's important to discuss whether our instructional practices in the classroom are tied to something the students will need outside of school.
Being able to make an argument, defend it, and articulate your viewpoint in a persuasive way is something that all kids can benefit from both in grade school and their life in and beyond college. The DBQ essay, compare and contrast essay, and even creative writing can teach them to do this. Of course, the ability to write is tied closely to the ability to read which many Dallas students struggle with, but teaching grammar and breaking down sentence structure could be one of those missing pieces. We don't teach those things explicitly as much as we did and maybe that has something to do with the number of struggling readers we have. Not the most persuasive thing coming from a blogger, I know, but if this were a book I was writing, I promise I'd proofread. Until then, enjoy these minor typos because they're here to stay!
Happy Monday folks!
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Related Articles:
Giving quality feedback to Dallas Students
Spending time grading Dallas Student Essays
Dallas Students demanding essay feedback
Many Dallas Students can't read
Maybe it's because the shift to standardized testing has replaced essay writing? Kids just don't do it as much anymore. I don't base that on any research, it's just a feeling I have from talking to teachers. Is it true? This is part of a larger question about literacy, but it's important to discuss whether our instructional practices in the classroom are tied to something the students will need outside of school.
Being able to make an argument, defend it, and articulate your viewpoint in a persuasive way is something that all kids can benefit from both in grade school and their life in and beyond college. The DBQ essay, compare and contrast essay, and even creative writing can teach them to do this. Of course, the ability to write is tied closely to the ability to read which many Dallas students struggle with, but teaching grammar and breaking down sentence structure could be one of those missing pieces. We don't teach those things explicitly as much as we did and maybe that has something to do with the number of struggling readers we have. Not the most persuasive thing coming from a blogger, I know, but if this were a book I was writing, I promise I'd proofread. Until then, enjoy these minor typos because they're here to stay!
Happy Monday folks!
We have a Facebook page for our Dallas Education Blog! Visit and Like it for regular updates through Facebook.
Related Articles:
Giving quality feedback to Dallas Students
Spending time grading Dallas Student Essays
Dallas Students demanding essay feedback
Many Dallas Students can't read
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