Overview

In this performance assessment, students will review multiple texts to analyze how each author’s argument, point of view, and central idea are developed. Students will also make connections between the text structures, determining which features and language are unique to each.  

Specifically, students will be asked to research stories from Holocaust survivors in different mediums (speech, interview, memoir, podcast, etc.) and create a product that highlights how the author’s argument, point of view, and central idea were developed. The student will also identify and compare key features and language used in each medium of the survivor stories.  

Students can create the final product in any appropriate way, including, but not limited to, PowerPoint or Google Slides (or another slideshow tool), Microsoft Word or Google Docs, paper and colored pens/pencils/markers.

This assessment should be administered after reviewing how to identify the author’s argument, point of view, and central idea. It would be best to review examples of text features and domain-specific language prior to starting this assessment. This assessment should be given during or after a unit that involves some historical context around WWII and the Holocaust. It is also important to remind students what “medium” means in the context of this assessment (the material or form used by an artist, composer, or writer).

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.

B1

Students can use multiple texts to cite evidence to analyze how an author’s argument, point of view, and central idea is developed.

B3

Students can explain the connections between text structures, features, and domain specific language in multiple different mediums.

F. Style and Language

Students can build vocabulary knowledge and apply conventions of grammar and usage specific to the context.

F1

Students can use grade-level appropriate writing conventions of grammar and usage when writing and speaking.

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

Development of Ideas

  • Student identifies the author’s argument, point of view, and central idea and may attempt to analyze how each is developed. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Student identifies the author’s argument, point of view, and central idea and analyzes how each is developed. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Student identifies the author’s argument, point of view, and central idea and thoroughly analyzes how each is developed.
  • Student discusses how the development of ideas impacts the audience.
No exemplars at this time.

Style

  • An unclear or no explanation of the information is provided demonstrating a weak understanding of the topic, ideas, and concepts. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Student identifies the text structure, features, and domain-specific language used in at least two different mediums.  
  • Student compares and explains how each feature functions within the mediums.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Student identifies the text structure, features, and domain-specific language used in at least two different mediums.
  • Students compare and explain how these structures, features, and language impact the audience.
No exemplars at this time.

Standard Conventions of English

  • Student uses below grade-level writing conventions of grammar and usage.
  • Student has many errors in usage and/or spelling. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Student uses grade-level appropriate writing conventions of grammar and usage.  
  • Few minor errors in usage and/or spelling; no repeated errors.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Student uses grade-level appropriate writing conventions of grammar and usage.
No exemplars at this time.

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