| Making Content Connections Name: Mark Fearer Date: June 21, 2025 | |||
| Lesson Goal: | Writing to Learn | ||
| Content Area: | Science | Specific Topic: | Ecosystems |
| Grade | Six | Estimated Time: | One Hour |
| Strategy | RAFT | ||
| Describe how the strategy is used as a before-during- and/or after-reading activity | In prior Modules I have referenced a 6th grade science class found at at https://www.oakmeadow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Grade-6-Basic-Life-Science-Coursebook-Curriculum-Sample.pdf As both of our texts, Dyches et al. and Fisher and Frey taught RAFT methods, I will incorporate roles into an ecosystem lesson. Role: Scientist Educator Audience: Sixth Grade Science Students Format: Online Synchronous Topic: Ecology | ||
| Describe how you would incorporate the strategy into a content lesson | Employing RAFT methodologies should deepen student understanding by engaging content concentration and also developing writing skills. Students will become immersed in lessons with narrow focus of specific subject matter. Follow-up conversation and activity should provide ‘ah ha’ and ‘light bulb’ moments when it dawns on students that they are walking the talk. | ||
Fang and Park taught that students must take words from abstract to lived experience. I interpret this as akin to our research in Module 5 wherein vocabulary is ingrained in content areas, in my case 6th grade science. Dyches et al. taught RAFT (Role, Audience, Format, Topic) methodology wherein the logistics of text and vocabulary is mapped out prior to execution of a lesson plan draft. Finally, Fisher and Frey also taught RAFT strategies including use of prompts such as, for example, what if and crystal ball scenarios.
references
Dyches, J., Boyd, A.S., Baker, K., and Kaulfuss, A. (2024) POWER TOOLS 30 Critical
Disciplinary Literacy Strategies for 6 – 12 Classroom, Myers Education Press, Gorham, Maine.
Fang, Z., and Park, J. (2019) Adolescents’ use of academic language in informational
writing, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-019-09937-8
Fisher, D. and Frey, N. (2020) Improving ADOLESCENT LITERACY Content Area Strategies
at Work, Pearson, Fifth Edition, Hoboken, New Jersey.
Mark Fearer EDRD 619 blog 
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