Tuesday Teaching Tips - GRASPS: A Focus on Writing

What are GRASPS?
GRASPS are performance-based assessments intended to provide students with experiences found in the real world.  GRASPS can be used in all subject areas (a GREAT way to get kids writing).

What does GRASPS stand for?

G = Goal: The Purpose of the task

R = Role: Explains student involvement in scenario

A = Audience: The people the student addresses

S = Situation: Explain the scenario

P = Product, Performance, and Purpose: Tangible evidence of understanding

S = Standards and Criteria for Success: How to complete the task successfully

G	Design, teach, explain, inform, create, persuade, defend, critique, improve
R	Advertiser, illustrator, coach, candidate, chef, engineer, eyewitness,  newscaster, editor, news show host, politician
A	Board members, neighbors, pen pals, travel agent, jury, celebrity,  historical figure, community, school board, government
S	The context of the situation – Create a real life scenario.
P	Advertisement, game, script, debate, rap, banner, cartoon, scrapbook,  proposal, brochure, slide show, puppet show
S	What success looks like: Scoring guide, rubric & examples

- Grade Level Examples - 
Kindergarten Example:
Animal Action
You are a zookeeper at the Milwaukee County Zoo. You have been asked to write a
caption that describes one of the animals. Your description will help people who come to the zoo learn more about that animal.

First Grade Example:
My Menu
The cooks in the cafeteria at your school have invited students to submit items to be
considered for future menu selections. Your teacher would like each student in your class to submit several items. All of the items will be included on a school-wide ballot. The items with the most votes will be included on the menu. Your task is to create several items for the menu. Use sentences to describe each item.

Second Grade Example:
Pet Care
You are the owner of a pet shop. You will create a sign to help your customers know what they need to take care of their new pets. Choose a pet and write a description of the items a pet owner needs to care for his or her pet.

Third Grade Example:
Worth Remembering
A local bookstore is sponsoring a contest for third grade students called Most Memorable Characters. The organizers of the contest would like students to describe a memorable character from a book they have read. The contest entry should show why the character is memorable.

Fourth Grade Example:
Join the Club!
Your school would like to offer more after school activities next year, including starting several new clubs for students to join. Write a business letter to your principal describing a club that you would like to start at your school.

Fifth Grade Example:
Inside-Out
Select a picture from a magazine or newspaper and describe what is happening in
the picture using the voice of someone or something in the picture.

For other great GRASPS examples visit this link:  GRASPS: A Focus on Writing
For more information and organizers to create your own GRASPS visit:  GRASPS


Coaching Request Form: