Writing Prompt Table for Benchmark Essays / Practice Essays

~ Instructional/Practice Prompts ~

Goal

Completing the practice prompts is key to successfully completing the benchmark assessments.
Focused revisions for each prompt lead to increased scores for each revision.

Students are highly encouraged to complete the following instructional/practice prompts throughout the year to support writing development and performance.

Dates	September - October	November - December	January - February	March - April
Genres	Persuasive/ Argumentative	Informative/ Expository	Persuasive/ Argumentative	Literary
MY Access Practice Prompts	Prompt #1 – Aug 29-Sept 16 Prompt #2 – Sept 19 – Oct 21	Prompt #1 – Oct 31 – Dec 12 Prompt #2 – No second practice prompt	Prompt #1 – Jan 9-Feb 3 Prompt #2 – No second practice prompt	Prompt #1 – March 28 – April 14 Prompt #2 – No second practice prompt
MY Access Grades 4 & 5	1. A Visit to the Rain Forest 2. Top Vacation Place	Why Bugs are Interesting and Helpful	The Greatest American President	April Rain Song
MY Access Grades 6 – 8	1. A Manned Mission to Mars 2. Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel	Egg Laying Species	Choosing an Exotic Pet	“The Tree” by Sarah Orne Jewett
MY Access Grades 9 – 12	1. Was Life Better in the U.S. Better in the 1900’s or the 2000’s? 2. Alternate Energy Sources	Growing Towards Maturity	Do Teens Consider Consequences?	Choice Made by a Literary Character
Benchmark Assessment Prompts Students can only “submit” once, but can “save and finish later” multiple times within one week and the 2 hr revising/editing period.
Grades 4-12 Complete through My Access	Persuasive/Argumentative Date Range: Oct 24-Oct 28 (4-5) Should All Young Athletes Receive an Award? (6-8) Are Organic Foods Worthwhile? (9-12) Choosing a Rewarding Occupation		Persuasive/Argumentative Date Range: Feb 6-Feb10 (4-5) Service Animals (6-8) How Would You Improve Your Community? (9-12) Truth and Lies
Portfolio & Grading	My Access generated by student; ES to print Assessment essay with grade for Fall sample		My Access generated by student; ES to print Assessment essay with grade for Spring sample	ES & parent Rubrics available in: Benchmark Essay Booklets
Grades TK-3	Students may use:, Benchmark Essay Booklets, or Writing Prompt Topics Instruction and practice is encouraged before* the benchmark assessment. *Outlines, rough drafts, revisions strongly encouraged.

Writing Prompt Table for Benchmark Essays / Practice Essays

Connecting Waters Charter School