Purpose: To engage student learning through analysis and synthesis of information Description: Using this strategy, students will take on the role of someone or something related to the topic of study. They will then generate a product for a designated audience. This activity requires students to both analyze and synthesize information previously introduced. The creative thinking required for completion of this product addresses many of the higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning.
Procedure:
1. Introduce this activity by explaining the RAFT acronym:
R- Role of the writer
A- Audience to whom the product is being directed
F- Format of the product being created
T- Topic of the product
Example: Pretend that you are an ant trying to convince a young boy not to step on you. (R- ant, A- young boy, F- verbal plea, T- convincing the boy not to step on you)
2. Pass out a sheet of possible roles, audiences, and formats.
3. Assign students to create a RAFT for a given topic related to your unit of study.
4. Allow students to share their RAFTs with the class in the form of short presentations.
Sample RAFTs for technology:
1. You are a tab. The Tab Federation of America is trying to ban you from all word processing documents. Write a letter persuading the TFA to keep you working!
2. You are a search engine. No one appreciates how hard you work. Create a message to post on your home page informing Internet users of what you do
Buehl, D. (2001). Classroom strategies for interactive learning. Newark, DE: International Reading Association.