Writing Pathways Grades K-5 (Performance Assessments & Learning Progressions

by Lucy Calkins

Performance assessments, learning professions, student checklists, rubrics, and leveled writing exemplars.

Genres: Education

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing Pathways has some gems in it, including how to use writing checklists while avoiding the "checklist mentality." Lucy Calkins suggests placing student skills on a learning progression and then showing students the next steps to help them move up the ladder. I liked that the checklists, rubrics, and learning progressions were all included. I also appreciated the benchmark pieces that can help to show kids in conferences what is looks like to move up the ladder.

I have a few red flags about the sheer amount assessments suggested in this book. The amount of time that students will spend taking the assessments and the amount of time I would need to spend grading and analyzing the assessments is a bit overwhelming.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I continue my summer reading to improve my writing instruction, I took on this book. My father taught me to tackle the biggest tasks first. This thick, double-columned book was the logical choice after the introductory book.

There is good in this book. In a perfect world, Calkins describes what reading would be. She is enthusiastic about her craft; she writes as though all students will write beautiful pieces willingly.

This assessment book, however, has left this teacher with many questions. At the end, it occurs to me that I am not certain of what the assessments are. I think a pre- and a post- and all the work in-between. Two hundred fifty-one pages are not needed for that.

The take away for me, however, is that I have a better idea of the demands for my students. I enjoyed the discussion of using checklists without relying upon "checklist mentality". I also enjoyed the discussion of rubrics and re-labeling them as grade two, three, etc., to something else which shows a progression of writing on a continuum.

The format of the book does not lend to east reading. The double-column of a wide book effectively doubles the length of reading. In a nutshell, there is too much text to the page.

There are lots of examples of writing that will be helpful during the academic year.

[Barb Keister · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the assessment part of the TCWP Units of Study for Writing that are based on CCSS. We've been using these units of study for a couple of years, but want to delve into the assessment process more deeply this year. Good suggestions on how to use on-demand assessments throughout the year to lift the level of student writing as well as teacher collaboration.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed this from the assistant principal to learn about the new writing assessment. Found a lot of positives, but also concerns. Some points transfered to my own practice with older students.