A BRIEF and Summarized Argument Writing Rubric Checklist - Informational Grades 9-10

Argument Writing - Grades 9-10

A BRIEF, Summarized Checklist

Score of 3 = On Grade Level

Organization/Purpose

1.     Introduces claim

2.     Distinguishes the claim from opposing claim

3.     Creates organization that links relationships: claims, reasons, evidence

4.     Uses words and phrases that explain relationships between reasons and evidence

5.     Uses a concluding sentence that supports the argument

6.     Clear, coherent writing

Evidence/Elaboration

1.     Develops the claim with evidence

2.     Uses information but avoids plagiarism

3.     Follows a format for citation

  Language/Conventions

1.     Uses a formal style and objective tone

2.     Uses grade-level appropriate standard English

3.     Errors do not interfere with understanding

Organization/Purpose 1.      Introduces claim 2.      Distinguishes the claim from opposing claim 3.      Creates organization that links relationships: claims, reasons, evidence 4.      Uses words and phrases that explain relationships between reasons and evidence 5.      Uses a concluding sentence that supports the argument 6.      Clear, coherent writing

Evidence/Elaboration 1.      Develops the claim with evidence 2.      Uses information but avoids plagiarism 3.      Follows a format for citation

Language/Conventions 1.     Uses a formal style and objective tone 2.     Uses grade-level appropriate standard English 3.     Errors do not interfere with understanding

This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.

To see more click here!

Teaching is Hard

An Article from EDWeek - Teacher by Justin Minkel

"Teaching is hard, complicated, abundantly human work. Minor failures like my grumpy tutoring session are inevitable, and berating ourselves for mistakes doesn’t do anything to improve our teaching."

Taken from  Hard Truths: Examining How Students Spend Their Time in Our Classrooms

Inside the New SAT

Inside the SAT/SAT Suite
This link will help your students prepare for the new SAT.

The website tells students the following:

One of our biggest goals in changing the SAT was to make sure it’s highly relevant to your future success. The new test is more focused on the skills and knowledge at the heart of education. It measures:

• What you learn in high school
• What you need to succeed in college

If you think the key to a high score is memorizing words and facts you’ll never use in the real world, think again. You don’t have to discover secret tricks or cram the night before.

The same habits and choices that lead to success in school will help you get ready for the SAT. The best way to prepare for the test is to:

• Take challenging courses.
• Do your homework.
• Prepare for tests and quizzes.
• Ask and answer lots of questions.

In short, take charge of your education and learn as much as you can.

Growth Mindset

Carol Dweck's latest Presentation on Growth Mindset

"Better not look dumb!"  - Her words that describe an old way of thinking.

New ways to look at learning!

Vertical Alignment MMS Curriculum Meeting

Need a good laugh?  Watch Teacher ABC Video

Agenda

MMS Curriculum ELA Meeting, March 22, 2016

1. Please Sit in grade level teams
2. ·      Brainstorm to define the task – small group discusion
3. ·      Discussion – whole group
4. ·      *If time - look at Red Clay and Common Core
5. ·      Findings and path forward

Vertical Alignment: Brainstorm in Teams

English, Language Arts Middle School Curriculum

1.             What are the levels for this alignment? 6,7,8 and Special classes

2.             What is the ELA curriculum based upon?  Common Core, State Standards with reference to the Smarter Balance test

3.             What is our platform for writing lessons and creating materials? The Next Generation Learning Focus Strategies

4.             What is our statewide platform for communication and collaboration? Schoology

5.             What areas do we need to align in ELA? (eg: reading….)

6. What resources will we use? (e.g., Scope, Collections…)

Writing Rubric Conversion Table

Here it is...

The only issue is that it make a score of 4 an A. You can adapt this as needed.  

ANALYTIC WRITING RUBRIC CONVERSION TABLE - DRAFT

Stiggins et al. suggest, the objective of grades is to communicate student achievement and it is best not to convert rubric scores to letter
grades, if it can be helped (2006, p. 316).   If conversion is necessary, the conversion table below will help with the process. Since cut-offs
for letter grades vary from district-to-district, a letter grade was not included on the table. 

When using a weighted, analytical rubric, follow the steps below:

1.      Score each individual section of the analytic rubric and total the points. 

2.      Use the conversion table to determine a student’s analytical score and/or percent.

	Score of a 4	Score of a 3	Score of a 2	Score of a 1
Organization/Purpose (X2)	4x2=8	3x2=6	2x2=4	1x2=2
Evidence/Elaboration (X2)	4x2=8	3x2=6	2x2=4	1x2=2
Lang/Conventions (X1)	4x1=4	3x1=3	2x1=2	1x1=1

Example:  John scores – O/P 4, E/E 3, L/C 3.  Analytic score is 4+3+3=3.3 and points would be 8+6+3=17.  On the Conversion Table, 17pts = 3.3 = 92%.  Please keep in mind, the performance level of a “3” is meeting the grade level standard; the performance level of a “4” exceeds the grade
level standard.

Total Points	Analytic Score	Percent
20	4.0	100
19	3.8	97
19	3.7	97
18	3.7	95
18	3.6	95
17	3.4	92
17	3.3	92
16	3.3	89
16	3.2	89
15	3.0	87
14	2.8	84
14	2.7	84
13	2.7	81
13	2.6	81
12	2.4	79
12	2.3	79
11	2.3	76
11	2.2	76
10	2.0	74
9	1.8	71
9	1.7	71
8	1.7	68
8	1.6	68
7	1.4	66
7	1.3	66
6	1.3	63
6	1.2	63
5	1.0	60