Collaborative Groups Made Simple
Ten Interesting Facts…The American Civil War
RAFT Writing Strategy
- By Gay Miller in Writing
June 24, 2014
RAFT is a writing strategy to help students focus on four areas of communication. This strategy helps students understand and convey information on a given topic. RAFT is an acronym for the following :
R ole of the Writer – The role is the perspective. Is the writer the President of the United States, a fifth-grade small-town student, a famous athlete, or any number of people? The role might include animals or inanimate objects such as toys.
A udience – The audience includes any person that will read the writing. This could be a large group such as a school body or an individual such as a school principal.
F ormat – Writing comes in all formats. Think letter, petition, instructions, television commercial, travel guide, newspaper article, journal entry, speech, and so on.
T opic – The topic is what you will be writing about. This can include endless possibilities.
An Example RAFT
A RAFT assignment might look like this:
| ole of the Writer The first step in the RAFT strategy is for the student to consider the role they will take on as the writer. | udience The next step is for the student to consider their audience. | ormat The student should then consider the format of the writing. | opic Finally, the student should consider the topic or subject of the writing. |
| artist character from a book scientist teacher judge reporter | President of the United States school principal group of parents peers television audience | billboard cartoon song brochure editorial commercial | saving the environment changing a rule or law promoting a product informing the public asking the public to help support a cause |
Students are required to select one item from each column. One student may be a teacher writing a song for a group of parents asking them to change a rule in the school. Another person may be an artist addressing peers on a billboard that will inform them of an event. Dozens of options may be selected from just this one RAFT assignment.
This writing strategy not only helps students understand the varied formats of writing, but to know the audience they will address, their role as writers, and writing topics.
Get RAFT Activities here .
Teaching standards.
A RAFT lesson covers many teaching standards. In addition to the four areas of communication, assignments may also practice specific skills. For example, in the printables below the RAFT activity requires students to use onomatopoeia and/or alliteration.
The RAFT strategy works well with literature. Have students write from the perspective of one character addressing another character about a conflict in the novel.
RAFT may be used with science and social studies topics as well. The writer could be an apple talking to the other apples on the tree describing traveling through the digestive system. A chemist might write an email to workers in a factory explaining the dangers of mixing specific chemicals. A black bear could create a sign to post in the forest telling why he can’t eat the trout due to the harmful effects of acid rain. The role may be a pioneer creating a journal entry about the hardships of traveling by wagon.
You are only limited by your imagination.
Differentiating Instruction
The best part of the RAFT experience is the ease to differentiate instruction. For example, I placed students into three groups. Each group was given two choices of activities. The activities varied in difficulty from the easiest level which was mostly drawing activities to the most difficult which was creating a slogan for advertising or a comic strip.
When I used this activity in the classroom, students had to think creatively to complete these activities. The projects were challenging yet fun for the students. All in all, it was a great experience. I will defiantly use this project in future years.
Free Printable
Below are the 3 RAFT activities I have referred to in the example above. I’ve merged all the activities into one Google Slide presentation. A link in the handout will take you to the Google Slide version which is completely editable.
If you missed the link above, here it is again.
Get it here.
The RAFT writing strategy can be used to help students understand and convey information on a given topic.
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Choice Boards (Think-Tac-Toe, BINGO, Menus, RAFT, & 1-3-5) .
This post goes over several types of choice boards and offers a free PowerPoint template.
- Writing Strategies
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#4537. Civil War Letter
Mini Lesson: Civil War Letter Name: Period: Instructions: Your assignment will be to write home to a person from the view point of a Civil War Soldier. You must include: 1.FIVE relevant and historically accurate pieces of information (medical technology, technology, weapons, food, soldier life, punishments, etc.). 2.THREE battles that were fought up through the time period we have studied. Each should include specific information related to that battle. 3.FIVE vocabulary words that we have studied so far. Remember: ROLE: You are taking on a role from a Civil War soldier. AUDIENCE: You are writing a letter to somebody, think about the information that your loved one at home would actually want to read about. . . FORMAT: This is a letter. TOPIC: You are writing about the Civil War. Say relevant and accurate! Rubric for Journal Home Trait 4 3 2 1 Ideas and Content (X3) �Writer sticks to topic. �Writer has all requirements-5 relevant pieces of info, 3 battles. �Writer uses specific details and examples to explain thought and ideas. Working towards standards: �Writer allows ideas to wander and get off-topic. Not all requirements are met. �Writer should use more details and examples to develop thoughts and ideas. Voice (X3) �Writing clearly expresses that thoughts, feelings, and personality of the writer. �Writer is committed to sharing his or her ideas from character point of view. �Writer remember his/her audience Working towards standards: �Writing does not reflect the personality of the writer. �Writer is not committed to sharing his or her ideas. Word Choice (X2) �Writer uses strong Civil War Vocabulary- at least 5 words! �Writer paints a picture in the reader's minds with words. Working towards standards: �Writer uses Civil War vocabulary out of context or doesn't use enough vocabulary words. �Writing does not give reader a clear vision of ideas through words. Writer's Name: Reviewer's Name: Peer Revision-Historical Fiction Letters In Three different colors, highlight or circle in colored pencil the following: 5 Facts that relate directly to the Civil War. Yes No 5 Vocabulary Words that relate directly to the Civil War. Yes No 3 Battles that relate directly to the Civil War. Yes No On a scale from 1-4 (4 exceeds the standard), rate the following: The Writer uses plenty of details and examples to support their writing. The writer expresses the personality of a Civil War soldier. Their point of view is clear, and they remember their audience. This letter is creative. The writer paints a picture in the reader's mind with words (sensory details) and uses vocabulary related to the Civil War.
US Civil War Timeline
Nine million soldiers fought in the U.S. Civil War and over 620,000 died – many from disease. Students will deepen their understanding this major period in U.S. history by creating a graphic representation of the events of the Civil War.
Idea Sheets are cross-referenced to subjects listed in the Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and California Content Standards.
8.10 Students analyze the multiple causes, key events, and complex consequences of the Civil War.||CA History/Social Science||Grade 8||United States History and Geography: Growth and Conflict|||4. Examine the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction and of the industrial revolution, including demographic shifts and the emergence in the late nineteenth century of the United States as a world power.||CA History/Social Science||Grade 11||United States History and Geography: Continuity and Change in the Twentieth Century||11. 1 Students analyze the significant events in the founding of the nation and its attempts to realize the philosophy of government described in the Declaration of Independence.
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(pages 173-174) His Children/Mother Friendly Letter(s) "My Role & Thoughts on the Civil War" Union Women (page 174) To Husband Friendly Letter(s) "My Role & Thoughts on the Civil War" From the list above, choose a row for your writing assignment. Your goal is to portray your role accurately using the given format.
Description. Bring history to life in your classroom with our engaging Civil War RAFT Assignment! This resource is designed to help high school students dive deep into the Civil War by exploring various perspectives and formats through the RAFT strategy. Perfect for enhancing historical understanding and encouraging creative expression, this ...
RAFT is a writing strategy to help students focus on four areas of communication. This strategy helps students understand and convey information on a given topic. RAFT is an acronym for the following: Role of the Writer - The role is the perspective. Is the writer the President of the United States, a fifth-grade small-town student, a famous ...
For this in-class writing assignment, students chose one out of four RAFT writing prompts. Students were allowed to use the book to complete this assignment, in fact it was designed to help them read the text. After a certain amount of time usually 20 minutes, students swapped papers, read each other's work, then underlined the number of ...
This assignment was designed to act as a review for EOC tests.The Standards Covered (Florida)SS.912.A.4.10SS.912.A.4.5SS.912.A.4.6SS.912.A.4.7This review assignment contains sixteen primary sources which cover; World War 1 and Early Challenges to Civil Liberty.(1.) Woodrow Wilson Declaration of Neutrality 1914(2.) "Steering Clear of the Rocks ...
Concepts Taught: Civil War RAFT Mini Lesson: Civil War Letter . Name: Period: Instructions: Your assignment will be to write home to a person from the view point of a Civil War Soldier. You must include: 1.FIVE relevant and historically accurate pieces of information (medical technology, technology, weapons, food, soldier life, punishments, etc.).
Writing assignment that provides choices for the students to take on a different role related to the topic of the Civil War. Can be utilized and/or adapted as a portion of a unit assessment, a quick-check for understanding, or as a discussion starter. A rubric is provided to help facilitate gradin...
Engage. Students will watch the " Civil War Election of 1860 " video, which outlines the main issues surrounding the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. Civil War Election of 1860. Discuss with students the issues that have been introduced in the video clip. Ask students why some of the issues mentioned would inspire the South to secede.
Title: Civil War RAFT Writing Assignment Author: Cobb County School District Last modified by: Danielle Engle Created Date: 4/17/2017 7:30:00 PM Company
A.F.T. Writing Assignments Effective writing assignments enable students to write fluently and. urposefully for an audience. R.A.F.T. can help you identify and incorporate the elements of an. ffective writing assignment. The R.A.F.T. strategy engages students in explaining what they know abou. topic and.
Civil War RAFT Assignment Menu Directions: Choose ONE (1) ROW from the RAFT Menu below to present your Civil War topic. Role Audience Format Topic (Write the topic you chose from the bucket in the space below) TV Personality Judge who is extremely over-dramatic in their presiding over a court case! Stay at home moms who are
Nine million soldiers fought in the U.S. Civil War and over 620,000 died - many from disease. Students will deepen their understanding this major period in U.S. history by creating a graphic representation of the events of the Civil War. ... RAFT Bay Area 1355 Ridder Park Drive San Jose, CA 95131.
This creative writing assignment gauges students understanding of daily life during the Civil War by examining various groups during the war, such as women, African-Americans, children, nurses, and soldiers. Daily Life in the Civil War Writing Assignment (RAFT) Previous Next; View Preview. Ms Adcocks History Resources. 12 Followers. Follow ...
For this assignment you will be comparing the treatment of civil liberties during World War I and World War II and ultimately making a statement about the changing nature of civil liberties between these two wars as well as in times since then. See the scoring rubric below for more details on how you will be graded on your research and writing. This practice assignment is worth 40 points.
By Spencer C. Tucker. Naval History Magazine - April 2014 Volume 28, Number 2. " Union Major General John C. Frémont, commander of the Western Department, ordered the first Civil War mortar boats on 24 August 1861. Thirty-eight in number, they specifically were designed to engage Confederate river batteries.
Do whatever you want with a Civil War RAFT Writing Assignment.pdf: fill, sign, print and send online instantly. Securely download your document with other editable templates, any time, with PDFfiller. No paper. No software installation. On any device & OS. Complete a blank sample electronically to save yourself time and money. Try Now!
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This item contains a Civil Rights RAFT project assignment and grading rubric. Civil Rights RAFT Project Assignment. Rated 4.91 out of 5, based on 8 reviews. 8 Ratings. Previous Next. Reading is Thinking. 842 Followers. Follow. Grade Levels. 6 th - 8 th. Subjects. English Language Arts, Social Studies - History.
Product: This is a RAFT Writing Assignment for Act 1 of Romeo and Juliet. Students will be able to write about the RAFT topic once they are done reading the act. It is printable and ready for students to write on. All the directions on what to write are outlined at the top of the page.
RAFT Writing Assignment on the Revolutionary War For the writing assignment in Unit 2, we are going to do a RAFT on the Revolutionary War. RAFT is a writing strategy that helps students understand their role as a writer and how to effectively communicate their ideas. Additionally, RAFT helps students focus on the audience they will address, the varied formats for writing, and the topic they'll ...