SPAWN

The SPAWN acronym represents five categories of writing prompts. These prompts can be crafted in many ways to stimulate students’ meaningful thinking about texts and topics. The writing prompted by SPAWN can be short in length and can be kept in notebooks or logs within a classroom. It can also result in extended and analytic pieces. SPAWN writing aids in learning, reflecting, and critical thinking. It can be used daily to help students focus and reflect on information learned in the classroom or it can be used to extend learning beyond the topic of the course and across topics within your content or to other disciplines.

SPAWN stands for: S- Special Powers: Students are given the power to change an aspect of the text or topic. When writing, students should include what was changed, why, and the effects of the change. P- Problem Solving: Students are asked to write solutions to problems posed or suggested by the books being read or material being studied. A- Alternative Viewpoints: Students write about a topic or story from a unique perspective. W- What if?: The teacher introduces the aspect of the topic or story that has changed, then asks students to write based on that change. N- Next: Students are asked to write in anticipation of what the author will discuss next. In their writing, students should explain the logic of what they think will happen next.You can refer to the resources below for more information on SPAWN as writing for across the content areas.

[]

[]

There are three parts to this assignments:First, design a SPAWN assignment you would use in your content area. Design a prompt for each of the letters of the acronym so you have five different approaches to the topic. Second, create an example of your assignment that can serve as a guide for students who will be completing the assignment. Third, include a 1-2 page explanation paper that provides the context in the classroom in which you would use this assignment. What unit would this be included in? What have students learned about? What do you hope to accomplish with this assignment? Would you have the students help create the choices or would you provide them? Why did you make the choices that you did? Here is one example from Content Literacy Strategy Descriptions for the 2008 Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum by William G. Brozo.

[]