The purpose of this page is to provide resources to imporve student's ability to
write across the curriculum.
Thinking maps, sometimes called graphic organizers, are a useful visual tool
to help transfer thinking processes and integrate learning.
However, before a student can visualize they need to identify the thinking skill
embedded in each questionn.
Therefore, in the table below, sample questions from the curriculum and
from MCAS have been organized and linked to each thinking skill and tool.
Additional resources, to aid student's thinking and writing, are linked at the bottom of the page.

The Question	The Thinking Skill	The Tool
The main conflict in _________ is _____. Cite and explain at least ____ examples that support this conflict. How is each conflict resolved? Sample MCAS question	Problem/Conflict Resolution	T-chart GO Generic GO LA GO Adv. GO #1 Advanced GO #2
Show how the events in English religious history led to the Puritan settlement in Massachusetts. Refer to the important events that led to: Shay's Rebellion, The Battle of Lexington and Concord, The Boston Tea Party, and The Slave Trade. Sample MCAS question	Sequencing and/or Summarizing	Sequencing GO Paragraph Starter
What qualities does this character have that would allow you to choose or not choose this person as a friend? State the trait, cite a quote form the text, and explain how your examples support the character trait. Sample MCAS question	Describing Qualities	Generic GO Sensory GO
Classify the following shapes and explain your reasoning. Sample MCAS question	Classifying	Classifying GO
Define patriotism and example how the revolutionists showed their patritoism in the Revolutionary War. Give at least 3 supportive examples. Sample MCAS question	Defining in Context	GO
Compare and constrast trapezoids and parallelogram. Sample MCAS question	Compare and Contrast	GO
Describe the effects of geopgraphy on the lives of New Englanders. Sample MCAS question	Cause and Effect	GO Cause Paragraph Effect Paragraph
Explain the lifecycle of a butterfly. Sample MCAS question	Whole/Part	GO

Non-fiction structures include thinking and writing about cause and effect, time order sequence, describing a topic and making comparisons and noting differences. While basic fiction strucutres zsk students to think about story structures such as beginning, middle and ending, settings, characters and plot, or problem, conflcit and solution. (Click here for additional reosurces.)

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Date last Updated: 10/23/07