Free WIDA ACCESS Test Prep Lesson – Introduction to Writing

We’re excited to share with you this free WIDA ACCESS test prep lesson on writing, the first lesson within our WIDA ACCESS writing series. You can check out more ACCESS test prep lessons in our lesson library with an Off2Class account!

Over the years, our district partners in WIDA states have shared with us their difficulties preparing students for WIDA ACCESS due to a lack of materials. Teachers report low student motivation and engagement with annual WIDA ACCESS testing due to students being stuck at a certain level for years with little change in their WIDA ACCESS scores — despite noticeable improvements in their functional English language proficiency. We designed the Off2Class WIDA ACCESS test prep lessons to fill this gap and help students maximize their test scores!

When should you teach this ACCESS (writing) test prep lesson?

“WIDA ACCESS Writing 1 – Introduction to Writing” (WIDA: Developing) is ideal for all students who are preparing to take WIDA ACCESS assessments. This includes Long-term ELs, Newcomers, and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE).

This lesson corresponds to the following standards and standard statements:

• ELD-SI.4-12.Narrate. Multilingual learners will share ideas about one’s own and others’ lived experiences and previous learning.
• ELD-LA.9-12.Narrate.Interpretive. Multilingual learners will interpret language arts narratives by analyzing how author choices about character attributes and actions relate to story elements (setting, event sequences, and context.)
• ELD-MA.9-12.Explain.Interpretive: Multilingual learners use language to interpret mathematical explanations by analyzing data and owning problem-solving approaches.

*WIDA ACCESS® is a registered trademark of the WIDA Consortium. This product is not endorsed or approved by WIDA.

How should you teach this this ACCESS (writing) test prep lesson?

The writing section of ACCESS is the fourth section of the test. This lesson gives an overview of the writing section of the test, followed by practice of answering some writing questions across all five ELD standards.

Note: The practice questions in this ACCESS test prep lesson (P2-P3) are simpler than those that appear in subsequence lessons (P2-P5). This enables students to build familiarity with the format before attempting more challenging questions.

You can download the lesson plan here!

If you are looking for even more information on how to teach this lesson plan, be sure to sign up for a free Off2Class account. You will gain access to teacher notes that will guide and prepare you. 

Don’t forget about our other WIDA lessons!

If you enjoyed this ACCESS test prep lesson plan download, there are more available here. The lesson plans are designed to save you time.

We know WIDA ACCESS test prep can be tricky. Therefore, we also offer a wide selection of other resources, training, and content to help you succeed. You can sign up for a free account to access more resources!