Overview

In this performance assessment, students will analyze how three different authors present their arguments on a given topic. Students will look at debates about whether schools should move towards a four-day school week or not, depending on the sources they may find. 

More specifically, students will be reading with purpose, and they should be able to analyze how each author distinguished their ideas from others. They will present these differences in a slideshow or a graphic of their choosing. Students will then write a paragraph concluding their thoughts on the topic through reflection. 

This may be handwritten or submitted on a computer. This assessment may be best after students have developed skills in writing well-developed paragraphs and can distinguish what the author’s purpose is and how authors may distinguish those purposes. Students may also need a refresher on the skills and knowledge of how to look up sources for the given topic. 

This assessment may be adapted to fit students with special accommodations.

Details

Big Ideas & Competencies

Big Ideas Competencies

B. Reading Informational Text

Students can read with purpose, understand and analyze information and evidence to construct meaning in increasingly complex texts.

B4

Students can analyze how an author distinguishes her or his ideas from others.

C. Writing

Students can effectively communicate purpose to an intended audience through written language, using a variety of media.

C6

Students can write a concluding statement or section based on purpose (e.g., argument, informational, narrative) and reflect on the topic.

NOTE ABOUT ASSESSMENT RUBRICS

Below are analytic teacher rubrics. The column on the left shows the dimension that is being measured in the student’s performance. The levels across the top row indicate the performance level in the dimensions. Occasionally all dimensions and performance levels are exemplified by multiple students in a single recording.

Teacher Rubric

Dimensions Not Yet Meeting Expectations Meeting Expectations Exceeding Expectations

Source Selection

  • Fewer than 3 sources or mostly irrelevant sources 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Three appropriate sources with some variety in format or viewpoint
No exemplars at this time.
  • Three clearly different, credible sources; strong variety in format and viewpoint 
No exemplars at this time.

Presentation Content

  • Lacks clarity; missing or unclear summaries
  • Topic is not clear or concise 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Clear summary and analysis of each source; organized 
  • Topic is clear and mostly concise  
No exemplars at this time.
  • Thorough, insightful analysis of each source; well-organized and engaging 
No exemplars at this time.

Conclusion & Reflection

  • Incomplete or missing written work
  • Little to no reflection on ideas.  
No exemplars at this time.
  • Adequate conclusion and reflection; mostly clear writing 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Thoughtful synthesis of ideas and personal insight; well-written 
No exemplars at this time.

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