Process-Based Checkpoints That Work

Let’s be honest: the writing landscape has changed. AI tools like ChatGPT aren’t just looming on the horizon—they’re already in your students’ browsers.

And while some educators are still scrambling for the perfect AI detector (spoiler: it doesn’t exist), others are asking a better question:

How do we teach writing in a world where students can outsource the whole thing?

The answer? Go back to something that’s always worked—but with a few smart updates.

🔁 The Checkpoint Writing Model

Instead of policing the final draft, start engaging students throughout the writing process. Here’s a structure I’ve used in my classroom (and it’s fully adaptable for middle school, high school, or college instruction):

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✅ Checkpoint 1: Brainstorming or Topic Proposal

Students generate ideas (with or without AI help), but must also explain their thinking. If they use an AI prompt, they submit both the AI response and a 2–3 sentence summary of what inspired them.

Bonus: This gives you an early read on their voice and originality.

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✅ Checkpoint 2: Outline or Planning Page

Before drafting, students submit a basic outline or mind map. You can provide a template or let them use AI to help structure their argument—but again, they have to explain what they kept, modified, or rejected.

This stage reinforces organization, voice, and accountability.

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✅ Checkpoint 3: First Draft (Ungraded)

This isn’t a final product. It’s a progress check. Use peer review, AI-assisted feedback, or conference check-ins to help them revise—and coach them through improving, not just submitting.

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✅ Checkpoint 4: Final Draft + Reflection

Students turn in their final draft with a short written reflection:

• What changed since your outline?
• Did you use any tools or suggestions (AI or otherwise)?
• What are you most proud of?

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Why This Works:

✔️ It builds trust and transparency.
✔️ It makes writing more process-focused, not product-obsessed.
✔️ It gives students permission to use AI—but in a way that develops skill, not shortcuts it.
✔️ And most importantly? It helps you sleep at night.

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📘 Want more like this?

This is just one of the many real-world strategies I share in my new book,
AI for Good, Not Evil: A Language Arts Teacher’s Handbook.

If you’re looking for practical tools, smart prompts, and ethical frameworks for teaching writing with AI—not in spite of it—this book is for you.

👀 Grab a copy here
🎙 Or book a virtual PD for your team