That's A WrAP

This week the 3rd-8th grade students participated in the ERB Written Assessment Program (WrAP). The WrAP test is an assessment tool used to help teachers determine students' strengths and weaknesses related to writing. Third and fourth-grade students will write a creative narrative, fifth and sixth an informative essay, and seventh and eighth-graders will support their perspectives through argumentative/persuasive writing.

Writing is a core aspect of learning woven seamlessly into the curriculum at Morganton Day School. Writing begins with our youngest learners, building upon their creativity and storytelling ability. Skills are then developed each year as students learn to organize their writing and add details for support. All genres are practiced throughout each of the grade-levels as students share creative stories, personal narratives, write to persuade, and write to provide information.

As students and teachers evaluate their writing, they look at the following:

• Overall Development

• Organization

• Support

• Sentence Structure

• Word Choice

• Writing Mechanics

At MDS, writing is an imperative aspect of expressing deep thinking and understanding the thoughts, feelings, and ideas of others. Students express perspectives, organize thoughts, preserve special moments, inform others, share opinions, reflect, and inspire through writing. They practice using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation to best communicate their ideas.

The WrAP standardized assessment allows us to receive external feedback about the writing process and individual progress. We use this assessment to set new goals so that each student can demonstrate their own personal best and continue to grow and improve as a writer. We value these educational opportunities as one of many ways students can reflect on their learning. We are so proud of the writers our students are becoming!

Treesie Cape
Curriculum Coordinator