RAFTS ACTIVITY Review:

Role of the Writer: Who are you as the writer? A movie star? The President? A plant? Audience: To whom are you writing? A senator? Yourself? A company? Format: In what format are you writing? A diary entry? A newspaper? A love letter? Topic: What are you writing about?

Instructions:
Select your very own RAFT by circling your choice in each column. Please be sure to include a rough copy, clear signs of editing, a good copy and your attached rubric. Dont forget to self-assess your own work using the rubric!

ROLE
News reporter/ Bystander Mrs. Jones Blackfoot mother Roger Laetita

AUDIENCE
General public Your friends Government Parents Your school

FORMAT
Letter Story review Photo essay Diary entry Poem

TOPIC
Stereotypes Native Peoples Rights Teenage delinquency A lesson learned Travel experience

RAFT Rubric
Knowledge Level 1 Information and details provided are very incomplete and inaccurate. Proper format is not followed. Level 2 Information, details and format are sometimes accurate and sometimes properly reflect information, ideas and themes related to the subject. Purpose, ideas and insights are somewhat clear and at times relevant to the audience. Central topic and purpose can be seen but is somewhat inconsistent. Grammar and spelling is sometimes correct and there are some errors. A somewhat strong and varied vocabulary is used. Class time sometimes used to disrupt others, off task behaviour occurs a few times and work has been started. Level 3 Information, details and format are fairly accurate and mostly reflect information, ideas and themes related to the subject. Level 4 Information, details and format are always accurate and properly reflect information, ideas and themes related to the subject. Purpose, ideas and insights are very clear and relevant to the audience. Central topic and purpose can be clearly seen, is expanded on and is always consistent. Grammar and spelling is correct and there are no errors. A strong ad varied vocabulary is used.

Thinking/ Inquiry

Purpose, ideas and insights are very unclear and not relevant to the audience. Central topic and purpose can be seen but is somewhat inconsistent. Grammar and spelling is incorrect and there are many errors. A limited vocabulary is used.

Purpose, ideas and insights are fairly clear and mostly relevant to the audience. Central topic and purpose can be clearly seen and is fairly consistent. Grammar and spelling is correct for the most part and there are only a few minor errors. A fairly strong and varied vocabulary is used. Class time is rarely used to disrupt others, off task behaviour is rare and work is almost completed.

Communication

Application

Work Habits and Skills (Observed, not assessed)

Class time often used to disrupt others, off task behaviour is frequent and work is not even started.

Class time is not used to disrupt others, off task behaviour does not occur and work is completed.

COMMENTS:

RAFTS Activity and Rubric

Date Completed: March 6th, 2014 Standard of Practice Reflected: Professional Knowledge

I created the RAFTS activity and rubric and taught it to a Grade 9 Applied class in Riverside Secondary School, under the guidance of Ms. Quenneville. It was created as a culminating activity to sum up three short stories we read for the short story unit. I first explained each part of RAFT to the class with examples, then a modeled a RAFT chosen by the class on the board, and finally I had students create their own RAFT. Students loved this activity, were engaged throughout the lesson and came up with really creative pieces of writing. This activity uses differentiated instruction, appeals to students strengths and allows for student choice. It also allows students to self-assess their own work, which can be very beneficial for students. My professional knowledge of different teaching strategies and methods can be seen throughout the RAFTS activity and the accompanying rubric.