A Teacher's Taxonomy: One-Page Wonders

If you're not familiar with 1-pagers, you're getting ready to bless my name! I was first introduced to this assignment through the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. It is a highly engaging way to monitor students' comprehension of a text.

Here is the basic principle: the student reads a text (independently or within a group) and responds by reflecting on the author's words and producing a visual representation. Provide the student with a clean white sheet of typing paper. Requirements for the assignment include: title, author, 2 quotes from the text that convey special meaning, and a central visual (illustration or design). Sometimes, I have my students include a brief reflection statement, as well.

This formative assessment caters to multiples intelligences; linguistic, spatial, and intrapersonal skills lend themselves to completing a 1-pager. I have used 1-pagers when we covered an important theme in a novel and to have students reflect on favorite short stories. Check out a few from this past year's analysis of The Giver!