Revised: 12/3/2013
SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Grade 04 Unit 04 Literary & Informational Text Unit
Rubric
Reading Standards:RL.4.4, RL.4.6, RI.4.4, RI.4.6, RI.4.7, RI.4.9
(RL.4.1, RL.4.2, RL.4.3, RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3)
Question #1 What is the main idea of this first paragraph? (RI.4.2) Exemplar answer (level 2): The main idea of the first paragraph was that the
passengers on the Mayflower were a diverse group of people. Some were religious Separatists. Others were families, servants, and hired hands.
(RI.4.2)
Level 2
 Provides a complete answer to the
question including both a main idea
and text based evidence to support.
 Includes an understanding of the
diversity present on the Mayflower.
 Describes the groups of people traveling
on the Mayflower.
Level 1
 Partially or generally answers at least
one part of the question.
 May describe the main idea but not
support with text evidence.
OR
 May give details from the text without
describing the main idea.
Level 0
 Does not address the question asked.
 Gives little or no evidence of text based
detail.
Question # 2 What is the meaning of the word discontented? What clues did you use? (RI.4.4) Exemplar answer (level 2) Discontented means
unhappy (unsatisfied). Some clue words were revolt and mutiny. Another clue was when the Strangers said they would be free to do what they
wanted. They also said they would not have to answer to colony rules. (RI.4.4)
Level 2
 Provides a complete answer including
both a definition and context clues
used.
 Includes appropriate examples from the
text to support the meaning of
discontented.
Level 1
 Gives an appropriate definition for
discontented.
OR
 Gives examples of clues used to decide
on the meaning.
Page 1
Level 0
 Does not address the question asked.
 Gives little or no evidence of text based
detail.
Question #3 Why is the “Mayflower Compact” considered important? Give specific details. (RI.4.3, RI.4.1)
Exemplar answer (level 2): The Mayflower Compact is considered important because it showed how the power to govern comes from the people.
The Saints and Strangers had to work together for the safety of their community. (the good of the colony)
Level 2
 Provides a complete answer to the
question including reasons why the
Mayflower Compact was important
(power to govern comes from the
people) and text based evidence to
support.
 Includes an understanding of the
purpose of the Mayflower Compact.
 Provides ample text evidence to support
reasoning.
Level 1
● Partially or generally answers at least one
part of the question.
● May describe the importance of the
Mayflower Compact (power to govern comes
from the people) but not support with text
evidence.
OR
● May give details from the text without
describing the importance of the Mayflower
Compact.
Level 0
 Does not address the question asked.
 Gives little or no evidence of text based
detail.
Question #4 Who is telling the story? How do you know? Why might the author have chosen to tell the story in this point of view? (RL.4.6)
Exemplar answer (level 2): Helen is telling the story. In the first sentence it says “Helen! Come here!” my father shouted to me across the deck.” This
shows that Helen is the narrator. The author might have chosen to tell the story in voice to show a child’s point of view and her fear of the fighting
(shouting).
Level 2
 Provides a complete answer addressing
who is telling the story and providing
evidence to support how you know.
 Provides a reason why the author may have
chosen this point of view supported with
text evidence.
Level 1
 Provides a partial or general answer to the
question.
 May address who is telling the story and/or
how you know.
 May give a reason why the author chose
this point of view.
 Lacks text evidence to support answers.
Page 2
Level 0
 Does not address the question asked.
 Gives little or no evidence of text based
detail.
Question #5 Describe the physical and emotional setting of this excerpt. Support your answer with text based details. (RL.4.3)
Exemplar answer (level 2): The physical setting is a tight crowded space on the Mayflower . The emotional setting is tense. People are shouting
angrily at each other.
Level 2

Provides a complete answer.
 Describes both the physical and emotional
settings of the story.
 Provides text evidence to support the
description.
Level 1
 Addresses only one part of the question
fully.
OR
 Provides a general answer for both physical
and emotional setting.
 Lack text evidence to support answers.
Level 0
 Does not address the question asked.
 Gives little or no evidence of text based
detail.
Question #6
How does the informational text, “Mayflower Compact,” help you understand this piece of historical fiction? Use evidence from both sources to
support your answer. (RI.4.9)
Exemplar answer (level 3) Reading the informational text, “Mayflower Compact”, helped me understand the historical fiction piece in many ways.
First, it described who was on the boat, The Strangers and The Separatists (Saints). I understood that in the fictional piece, the Strangers meant
families, servants, and hired hands. The “Mayflower Compact” also helped me understand why the adults were arguing in the historical fiction piece.
Level 4
All of 3 plus  Uses higher level vocabulary.
 More than two examples of
text evidence that impacted
your understanding of the
fictional piece.
 Uses higher level text-text
connections.
Level 3
 Includes specific text evidence
from the “Mayflower
Compact” to support how your
understanding of the fictional
piece was improved.

Provides two or more
examples of how the
informational piece impacted
understanding of the fictional
piece.
Level 2
 May be general and include
few or weak examples of how
the informational text
impacted understanding of the
historical fiction piece.
 May develop one example of
how the informational text
impacted understanding of the
historical fiction piece.
Page 3
Level 1
 May not accurately describe
how the informational text
helps in understanding the
historical fiction piece.
 Provides little or no text
evidence to support the
answer.