A Voice for Writing: A Formulaic Reading and Writing Method Utilizing Colors, Patterns, and Socio-Emotional Intelligence for Virtual Instruction and Online Learning

By Pamela Mary Schmidt

What can we all understand globally, regardless of any particular language?
Colors, symbols, and emotions.
A Voice for Writing is a universal and one-of a kind approach to writing that taps into the needs of the new millennium students. Bypassing any language or ability, the design uses symbols, colors, and patterns to represent steps that automatically synthesize textual evidence, interpretations, and academic language. The design contains multiple strategies that are embedded within structured acronyms, visual cues, color coding, and language-based supports to facilitate the writing process.
Students strengthen their ability to select cited evidence and perform a deeper analysis of text through a chronological framework called “Blocking Off” and the “MY” sentences. This formulaic method also draws upon students’ prior knowledge, emotional intelligence, and experience to develop important connections to texts, thereby developing inner motivations and simultaneously building comprehension while encouraging engagement in the learning process.

The ordered steps are memorized, and students generalize the application of the formulas by color coding and utilizing a checklist to forward sequence the steps. The process automatically synthesizes the components of the state testing and is aligned with such to include precise language and a formal style to present ideas consistently to become a cohesive writing response. The chronological structure promotes the selection of quality textual evidence and interpretations that support a clear response that address a specific writing task.

This design follows the Part 2 Argument and Part 3 Text Analysis Response of the New York State Common Core English Regents, but can be easily adapted and modified to exclude steps that may not be relative to a different writing task.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9781716396311

Book preview

a voice

for

writing

a formulaic reading and writing method

utilizing colors, patterns, and socio-

emotional intelligence for virtual

instruction and online learning

pamela mary schmidt

Copyright © 2020 pamela mary schmidt

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

This book is a work of non-fiction in a narrative form. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-7163-9632-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7163-9631-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019908323

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 04/29/2021

TESTIMONIALS

Pam’s universal methodology for writing that includes the integration of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights education curriculum, Speak Truth to Power, transforms learning, and prepares students for their roles as global citizens. Using these lessons within the writing design that conceptually connect to other texts through the themes of courage, compassion and perseverance, Pam taps into a students’ emotional intelligence, thereby instilling a sense of civic responsibility and insightful awareness of critical global issues. Pam’s writing design activates a valuable storytelling aspect within lessons that simultaneously acknowledges a students’ own experiences, yet develops a cross cultural and empathetic interconnectedness rooted in an understanding of multiple perspectives.

— Kerry Kennedy, President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Working in a high-needs school district means tailoring lessons to meet the individual educational demands of each student. For years, I tried to teach writing by using different approaches with mediocre results at best. After becoming frustrated with my lack of universal student progress, I tried the method developed by my colleague, Pamela Schmidt.

Pamela’s methodology provided students with the framework needed to effortlessly start essays, select textual evidence supporting high-level claims, interpret that evidence, and build on that evidence.

It was truly refreshing and inspiring to teach the Common Core argument essay in my eleventh-grade inclusion class and hear a student matter-of-factly say, This is the first time I have written an essay and not felt stupid. Teachers who utilize this method will never hear the dreaded I don’t know how to start.

Pamela’s writing tactics have changed the way I teach my students how to communicate through writing.

—Liana Valletti, English Department chairperson

Having had the opportunity to work with Pam Schmidt for two years as co-teachers in our inclusion classroom was a true joy. I adopted her infamous Voice for Writing formulas into my daily instruction. In my experience, the structure of the formula benefits all students from struggling learners to high achievers. Working in a diverse student population, students face academic barriers and language obstacles. By providing students with Sentence Starters and color-coded acronyms (i.e., SS, Q, and I), writing textual-based responses becomes much more accessible for them. The letters and colors are visually appealing and provide students with a springboard for writing.

As a current ninth- and eleventh-grade English teacher, I watch many students grapple with questions such as How do I start? or What should I say? before writing. A Voice for Writing framework provides students with a go-to list of Sentence Starters to ease that writer’s block.

Educators often use ideas and suggestions from colleagues, and this infamous Voice for Writing method is easily obtainable by teachers, parents, and students. The beauty of this formula as well as its components is that each piece is ready to use and malleable. You can use all the guidelines or just those you think fit best into your classroom instruction.

Pam’s formula lends itself to promote the use of textual evidence and interpretation, which were components my students previously were missing in their written responses.

—Nicole Lesniak Mongelluzzo, English teacher

My son, Brendan, has had many wonderful special education teachers and a family that has nurtured and read with him throughout his youth. In spite of this, he entered ninth grade with subpar writing skills. Despite all efforts, no traditional options had worked for him to