Overview

In this performance assessment, students will be asked to write an opinion piece stating which local school field trip destination they think would be the most exciting to visit. They should provide reasons based on what they learn about each destination, such as interesting exhibits, activities offered, or historical significance. Students can write their opinion 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. Final student work should be saved as an Acrobat PDF for uploading to the virtual scoring software. 

This assessment can be used at any time in third grade. Students should have had instruction on opinion writing before this assessment is used. 

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Details

  • 3rd
  • Two 45-minute sessions with optional third session with an optional third 45-minute session
  • Big Ideas & Competencies View Section Below

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.

C1

Students can write structured opinion pieces that state a point of view and provide reasons that support the opinion.

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 and Organization
  • Provides an unclear introduction to the topic or text or no introduction is included.
  • Uses an unclear or ineffective body structure to organize the opinion and reasons about the topic or text.
  • Abruptly ends the writing without a sense of closure. 
No exemplars at this time.
  • Introduces the topic or text.
  • Organizes the opinion and reasons about the topic or text.
  • Provides a concluding statement or section.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Introduces and provides information about the topic /or text.
  • Uses a logical body structure to organize the opinion, reasons, and information about the topic or text.
  • Provides a concluding statement or section that clearly relates to the opinion.
No exemplars at this time.

Development/Comprehension
  • States a partially related or unrelated opinion and/or reason(s) or does not state an opinion.
No exemplars at this time.
  • States an opinion about the topic or text identifying reasons that support the opinion.
No exemplars at this time.
  • States an opinion about the topic or text identifying reasons that support the opinion using information about the topic or text.
No exemplars at this time.

Style/Conventions
  • Uses basic words or no linking words to connect the opinion and reasons.
  • 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.
  • Uses correct and varied sentence structures.
No exemplars at this time.
  • Uses linking words and phrases to connect the opinion, reasons, and information.
  • Uses advanced conventions to enhance meaning and readability.
  • Uses advanced and varied sentence structures. 
No exemplars at this time.

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