48. GATHER, SORT, SHRINK, WRAP (Reading, Writing, Discussion, Collaboration)
Description: Perfect for pre-college students and based on Dr. Barry Casey’s GSSW (Gather, Sort, Shrink, Wrap), this deep reading method helps students write clear and concise essays based on multiple readings or complex text.
Application: This method can be used in numerous courses, most especially in literature, social studies, and/or humanities.
Process: Model this method early in the semester so that students may apply the learning in more than one instance. Provide text to students and outline the "GSSW Method:"
Gather: Partner students and direct them to read the text out loud to each other noting things
that stand-out as significant to the general understanding of the text.
Sort: Tell partners to “cluster the ideas into chunks, both for retention and for
understanding the general themes that run through the text.” Check to make sure
the pairs are writing down the information.
Shrink: Direct partners to further refine the information by expressing their thoughts into
sentences using their own words. Remind students that the sentences should
reflect their deeper understanding of the text (no superficial or general ideas
allowed). Allow partners to work together creating sentences or to work
individually.
Wrap: After sentences are created, instruct students, either as partners or individually, to
use them to create an outline or mind map which will act as the foundation for an
essay or other written product.
Description: Perfect for pre-college students and based on Dr. Barry Casey’s GSSW (Gather, Sort, Shrink, Wrap), this deep reading method helps students write clear and concise essays based on multiple readings or complex text.
Application: This method can be used in numerous courses, most especially in literature, social studies, and/or humanities.
Process: Model this method early in the semester so that students may apply the learning in more than one instance. Provide text to students and outline the "GSSW Method:"
Gather: Partner students and direct them to read the text out loud to each other noting things
that stand-out as significant to the general understanding of the text.
Sort: Tell partners to “cluster the ideas into chunks, both for retention and for
understanding the general themes that run through the text.” Check to make sure
the pairs are writing down the information.
Shrink: Direct partners to further refine the information by expressing their thoughts into
sentences using their own words. Remind students that the sentences should
reflect their deeper understanding of the text (no superficial or general ideas
allowed). Allow partners to work together creating sentences or to work
individually.
Wrap: After sentences are created, instruct students, either as partners or individually, to
use them to create an outline or mind map which will act as the foundation for an
essay or other written product.
Reference, graphics, and/or for more information:
48. Gather, Sort, Shrink, Wrap
48. Gather, Sort, Shrink, Wrap