Assignment Template

Reading California's common core state standards for English Language Arts, and Literacy I learned more about how to teach writing and reading than being the student. I have always been the student and now to look at it with a different perspective, everything seems to be much more understandable. This entire template gave advice on the best ways to approach reading and then writing about it; advice that I wish I would have had a long time ago. I thought the section on Descriptive Outlining to be the most helpful when reading a text, because it suggest to take each section of the text and analyze the content. Taking a difficult text and breaking it down by sections is something that I feel would benefit greatly, as students could only focus on that part and not be totally confused having it all together. After reading that, I also thought the part on annotating would be helpful for students. Personally, in high school I had to do this with every difficult text and I found it helpful, because I could always look back at what I commented on. Annotating I have found to be the best way to begin my brainstorming for writing a paper. The article also discusses the benefits of annotating when beginning a paper, because students can high light a piece of evidence they would want to use and if it is a fact or opinion. When the article began discussion about composing a paper, the most helpful suggestion I found, and wish I knew before, was when writing a first draft have students take risks and to explore many ideas. I thought this was beneficial, because to write without being so focused on exactly what you want to say in your paper, but to explore different ideas would generate other thoughts. I wish I would have known this, because when I write a paper I try to get everything I want said in the first draft; I do not explore or take a risk at some idea. I liked this template, not only because instead of stating the standards in the small box like all other standards, it went into depth about what students should be doing and gave ideas for teachers to help students reach those standards.