Constructive Response Writing Program

St. Nicholas Academy’s Constructive Response Program teaches students, beginning in Kindergarten, HOW to write or orally respond to questions in class, in daily work, on tests and on standardized tests typically found in grade school through college. Students are taught this process that can successfully be used in any situation; based upon Bloom's Taxonomy, definitions for “questioning” words are defined, discussed and used in formal lessons. Each grade level practices answering questions by (1) defining just what the question is asking and (2) writing down possible facts/details that could be used to answer specifically what the question is asking. Once students understand WHAT the question is asking, they are more successful in giving an answer that targets all they know. We teach students to eliminate what is not necessary or helpful in reaching their goal of answering questions accurately.

Each grade level has specific terms they learn that are developmentally appropriate for their age; terms that are used to show knowledge, comprehension and application are taught first. As students mature and are challenged to use higher level thinking skills, they are introduced to terms that extend their thinking into areas of questioning that include analysis and evaluation.

 Carol Graler 

Curriculum  Coordinator