REVISED 6/2008
CWCS Writing Prompts
The purpose of the
Standards Based Writing Prompts is for the ES and
Parent to monitor their student’s writing ability.
The Writing Prompts are
required for all grade levels (including 12th graders who
have already passed the CAHSEE) and should be given at the same time as the
Benchmark Assessment dates. (The prompts should be done by hand and
not typed on the computer. If an ES wants to include the typed finished
produce, a handwritten first draft must also be included.)
The Writing
Prompts/Samples should be scored with one of the rubrics provided. (Other rubrics/ genres acceptable). By
using
the
rubric
as
a
scoring
method
the ES and parent are able to see where the students’s writing strengths and
weaknesses are. After determining the writing standards
that are weak the ES and parent can plan a writing curriculum to help the student
improve his/her writing skills.
After the writing
prompts/samples are scored (by the ES and/or the parent) the ES will put them
into the child’s
portfolio
for
further reference (for portfolio samples, first draft of samples are preferred
but if you have a first draft and a final draft please include both, and
copies of rubrics do not have to be included). Two
of
the
writing samples may be the Reading/Writing Growth Area samples and the other
two writing
samples are kept by the ES in the students file. Only
score the Benchmark Writing Prompts with the rubric. You do not need to score every piece
of
writing that the student does.
There are several
alternative rubrics that are available.
The parent and ES should discuss and review the rubrics and
decide
which one best suits their student's needs.
Parents will receive a
Writing Prompt Booklet from their ES
2) The sample be complete to fit the standard. For 2-12 grades the sample
should be a complete essay not just a paragraph.
The example would need to be handwritten (maybe the first draft) and the
finished product could also be attached.
The example would need to be one of the standards for writing in the language
arts benchmark. For 9th and 10th grade, one standard is to write a biographjical
or autobiographical narrative. So in the case of World History, the assignment
might be a biographical report that includes the writing applications listed
within the standard:
Sequence events, specific scenes and places, describe sights, etc…
Another standard benchmark for 10th grade is to “establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of writing”. So the assignment could be a different type of work other than a biographical report but it must have a consistent theme and make a strong point.
3) Given the standards for other grades, the length of the piece should be considered. One or two paragraphs for the 10th grade student would not be acceptable. See http://www.connectingwaters.org/Assessment/writingstandards.htm for assistance.
If you have any other
questions or concerns you can contact Terry Souza at tsouza@connectingwaters.org or 209 769
0994.