Overview

In this performance assessment, students will write and illustrate an alternate ending to a short story read in class. Students will need to have an understanding of story grammar to understand what part of the story the ending is. 

Students can create their final project on paper/pencil, using art supplies, or electronically using Google Slides. They will either be using computers such as Chromebooks or construction paper, colored pencils, paints, and/or crayons.  

The assessment would be most appropriate for grade 3 and can be used to measure reading comprehension, story development, prediction, or several other reading skills as well as writing development. It should be used upon the completion of a literature, short story, or writing unit.  

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Details

Big Ideas & Competencies

Big Ideas Competencies

C. Writing

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

C3

Students can use effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear event sequences to write narratives (real or imagined experience).

D. Speaking and Listening

Students can listen effectively, present information appropriately given the situation, and collaborate with peers.

D1

Students can engage effectively in collaborative discussions (one-on-one, groups, teacher-led) with a variety of partners, about grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own ideas clearly.

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

Focus/Organization
  • Provides a disconnected ending or abruptly ends the writing without a sense of closure. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Provides a sense of closure that connects the characters, situation, and events. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Provides a clear and realistic closure that follows from the characters, situation, and events. 
No exemplars at this time.

Development
  • Includes unrelated or unnecessary details about the character(s), setting, problem, and/or solution or few details are included. 
  • Dialogue is used inappropriately or does not support the story line. 
  • Simplistic figurative language and/or vocabulary is used which minimally develops the experiences, events, characters and/or setting. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Includes details about the character(s) and/or narrator, setting, problem, and solution. 
  • Uses dialogue to show characters’ responses to events or other characters. 
  • Uses figurative language or nuanced vocabulary to develop experiences and events, characters, and setting. 
No exemplars at this time.
  •  Includes creative and colorful details about the character(s) and/or narrator, setting, problem, and solution.
  • Uses dialogue to show characters’ thoughts and emotions about events and/or other characters. 
  • Uses figurative language, word nuances, and shades of meaning to develop experiences and events, characters, and setting. 
No exemplars at this time.

Style/Conventions
  • Uses basic temporal words or no linking words to connect the situation or sequence of events.
  • Uses inconsistent capitalization and/or spelling patterns. 
  • Uses ineffective sentence structures, and errors may interfere with meaning and/or readability. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Uses linking words and phrases to connect the opinion and reasons. 
  • Uses grade-appropriate conventions; errors are minor and do not interfere with meaning and readability. 
  • Use correct and varied sentence structures. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Uses sophisticated temporal words and phrases (e.g., a little later, after that) to manage the situation or sequence of events. 
  • Uses advanced conventions to enhance meaning and readability. 
  • Uses advanced and varied sentence structures. 
No exemplars at this time.

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