Strand: Reading
Score
4.0
Topic: Story Elements
Grade: 6th Grade
In addition to Score 3.0, in-depth inferences and applications that go beyond what was taught.
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3.5
Score
3.0
Sample Tasks
In addition to score 3.0 performance, in-depth inferences and applications with partial success.
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The student:
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uses details from grade-level text (e.g. The Cay by Theodore Taylor, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt,
Stepping on the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn, Stand Tall by Joan Bauer) to identify the problem-solving
processes of characters and evaluate the effectiveness of solutions
uses details from grade-level text (e.g. The Cay by Theodore Taylor, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt,
Stepping on the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn, Stand Tall by Joan Bauer) to analyze the influence of
setting on characters and plot
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The student exhibits no major errors or omissions.
Score
2.0
2.5
No major errors or omissions regarding 2.0 content and partial knowledge of the 3.0 content
There are no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes as the student:
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recognizes or recalls specific terminology such as:
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
problem, conflict, climax
uses details from grade-level text to identify the problem/conflict and climax in both a fiction and
nonfiction piece
However, the student exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes.
Score
1.0
Score
0.0
Rewrite a scene from a piece set in a different time period to depict how things
would be if it took place today or in the future. Be sure to think about what life is
like or will be like and incorporate those details (e.g., would Elizabeth from
Stepping on the Cracks have a cell phone or would they have been able to take
Stuart to the doctor anonymously).
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Describe the problem-solving techniques author Gary Soto uses in his
autobiographical short story “Drive-In Movies” to convince his parents that they
should go to the movies. Evaluate the effectiveness of his efforts using details
from the text to support your answer.
After reading The Cay by Theodore Taylor, predict how the story would be
impacted by a different setting (e.g. a bigger island, different year). Think about
both of the characters and their backgrounds as well as the overall plot of the
story. Use details from the text to support your answer.
What inferences can be made about the families and the United States as a
whole in the book Stepping on the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn based on the
time-period of the story? How would the story be different if it were to take
place today? 100 years ago? Justify your answer using details from the text.
In the book Stepping on the Cracks by Mary Downing Hahn, Stuart is drafted in
to the U.S. Army. Argue for or against Stuart’s method of solving his problem.
Use details from the story to justify your answer.
Defend Gordy’s decision to run away from home in Stepping on the Cracks by
Mary Downing Hahn. Include if you feel he was justified in his decision using
details from the text to support your answer.
Identify the problem/conflict and climax in the story Angel Child, Dragon Child by
Michele Maria Surat. List 2 events from the story that lead up to the climax and
the solution of the problem.
After reading a piece of grade-level text have students choose the correct climax
of the piece from a teacher-generated list.
Identify or produce definitions to given terms
1.5
Partial knowledge of the 2.0 content but major errors or omissions regarding the 3.0 content
With help, a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes and some of the more
complex ideas and processes.
0.5
With help, a partial understanding of the 2.0 content but not the 3.0 content
Even with help, no understanding or skill demonstrated.
Copyright 2009 – Park Hill School district –Park Hill, MO