Assess prior knowledge—(see Step-By-Step Directions)

Self-Editing—As students self-edit, they may use the A-Z taxonomy as a resource for substituting over-used words.

Brain storming; idea generation—Any time idea generation becomes a need, a taxonomy may be created with a stimulating  BIG IDEA (ESSENTIAL QUESTION) and put to the class for a variety of responses, which will be listed on the A-Z.  After the generated ideas are recorded, students may proceed on their own to utilize those ideas or add more.

Retelling for comprehension—The teacher establishes a BIG IDEA (ESSENTIAL QUESTION) for a book, an event, a process, etc. which will focus the retelling.  Next, the teacher assigns a portion of the alphabet—A-M, G-L, S-Z, etc.—which will structure the retelling.  Students then write their response to the EQ beginning each sentence of their response with the letters in the portion of alphabet assigned.