Has anyone ever heard of a method called the RAFT
Assignment? Before I read this section in the textbook I am reading I can say I
never have. The link provided above will explain the method in complete detail;
however, I will do my best to explain its importance as well. So here we go…
RAFT
stands for Role, Audience, Format and Topic, the key ingredients of writing assignments
(Santa, Havens, and Harrison 1996).
What this assignment does is changes the
normal assignment where the student writes a formal essay or report. The cool
thing about this assignment is a teacher could alter the assignment to fit the
content area whether it is English, Science or Social Studies. For example, in social
studies a teacher could ask the students to “write from the point of view of a
bill (role) speaking to a group of senators (audience) in a speech (format)
about the process of the bill becoming a law (topic)” (Clark pg. 172). Here is
an example of a handout that you could create using the insert tab in word:
RAFT Assignment
Directions: Use
this prewriting planner to organize your RAFT assignment.
|
Role
|
Audience
|
Form
|
Topic
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reminders:
·
Think carefully about your role and your point
of view.
·
Consider how to best communicate to your
audience.
·
Use the traits of the writing form. You may wish
to create a graphic organizer specific to that genre: for example, a letter, a poem
explanation, or story.
·
Stay focused on your topic. (Clark, pg. 173).
Honestly, I have to say I am looking forward to trying this
in my class this upcoming semester. I have always been a math teacher for the
most part, but I was asked to teach a social studies class starting in August. I
was completely worried that I would not have any ideas going in; however, as I keep
reading this book and looking at the examples I have more confidence. I guess
the moral of the story is I was stuck in a role that I was comfortable in and
never considered doing anything different, but as a teacher one should expand
their knowledge and this book has allowed me to do so.
This is really interesting piece. It is surprisingly similar to Management By Objective and other Arthur Anderson-like consulting tools. I'm going to buy the book. You showed me something valuable today that will work in my need to work with the Common Core writing requirements.
ReplyDeleteThis idea sounds very interesting. It is a good strategy to teach to students and see if it helps with their writing. I am sure that it will also help my own writing. By the way good luck with your teaching and implementing this new idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is very intersting. I always try to find something interactive to give for my student. I think this is a great idea to apply. thank you for this suggestion!
ReplyDeleteThis is very intersting. I always try to find something interactive to give for my student. I think this is a great idea to apply. thank you for this suggestion!
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard of this technique. I taught lessons from the textbook "SpringBoard" and they have a lot of graphic organizers such as this. I think I only did one or two of these though. I really like the idea of using this in all contents. It really makes sense to use this in other content areas such as social studies and science.
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard of this technique. I taught lessons from the textbook "SpringBoard" and they have a lot of graphic organizers such as this. I think I only did one or two of these though. I really like the idea of using this in all contents. It really makes sense to use this in other content areas such as social studies and science.
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard of this technique. I taught lessons from the textbook "SpringBoard" and they have a lot of graphic organizers such as this. I think I only did one or two of these though. I really like the idea of using this in all contents. It really makes sense to use this in other content areas such as social studies and science.
ReplyDelete