Social Studies Writing Makes a Difference

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Social Studies Writing Makes a Difference

• Sara Lucas,
• Pflugerville ISD
• sara.lucas_at_pflugervilleisd.net

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The 10th gr. TAKS Reading Puzzle

• The reading test contains 3 short answer
  questions as well as an essay.
• Students frequently perform poorly on the short
  answer questions.
• 10th grade scores count for AYP.

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Solution!

• Reformat released TAKS Social Studies questions
  to resemble the English short answer questions.
• Win! Social studies comprehension will improve
  as students process the answers through writing.
• Win! Reading scores will improve.
• Bonus Essay writing will also improve through
  this focus.

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What does the TAKS Reading test look like?

• Students have two short selections to read as
  well as a third item such as a cartoon.
• Short answer 1 Literary question about
  conflict, symbolism, etc.
• Short answer 2 Expository question about
  attitude, importance, etc.
• Short answer 3 Crossover question that
  requires students to use evidence from both
  selections.

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Scoring the Short Answer

• Score point 0 Insufficient
• Score point 1 Partially sufficient
• --------------passing scores below----------------
  
• Score point 2 Sufficient
• Score point 3 Exemplary

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Short Answer Rubric

• Score point 0 Insufficient (not passing)
• No answer or wrong answer.
• No seed or wrong seed and usually no roots or
  leaves.
• Reader response Nope!

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Short Answer Rubric

• Score point 1 Partially sufficient (not
  passing)
• May have an answer but no support or analysis.
  May have no answer but weak support. May have an
  answer but off-balance writing skills confuse it.
• Seed but no roots or leaves. Roots or leaves but
  no seed.
• Reader response What?

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Short Answer Rubric

• Score point 2 Sufficient (passing)
• Has correct answer that is well-supported with
  text evidence and analysis.
• Has seed, roots, and leaves.
• Reader response Thats it!

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Short Answer Rubric

• Score point 3 Exemplary (passing)
• Solid answer which is supported in a unique way
  and/or analysis that is insightful and effective.
• Seed, roots, leaves, and flowers
• Reader response Awesome!

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Writing a Response

• From Washingtons Farewell Address
• Be sure to include
• Answer (seed)
• Evidence (roots)
• Analysis (leaves)

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Scoring Practice

• 1. Highlight the answer (seed) in pink
• 2. Highlight textual evidence (roots) in yellow
• 3. Highlight analysis (leaves) in green
• 4. Label the parts as seed, roots, leaves.

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Student Response A

• George Washington is promoting the idea that the
  U.S. government shouldnt form alliances with any
  other nation. The U.S. should remain neutral.
• Score Point ______1____

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Student Response B

• It is explains that it is good to be friends with
  any people of other states in the foreign world.
  But to have no alot of political power with them
  and let them know.
• Score Point ____0_____

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Student Response C

• George Washington promotes the idea that the
  United States of America should avoid involvement
  in foreign affairs regarding politics when
  developing trade between the U.S. and other
  states. He uses statements such as true
  policy, little political connection and to
  steer clear of permanent alliances to convey his
  opinions. When George Washington left the
  presidential office, the U.S. was weak both
  economically and politically. So to allow a
  foreign entity within the boundaries of the U.S.
  would invariably, in Washingtons opinion, spell
  doom and destruction for the nation.
• Score Point ____3____

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Student Response D

• He is promoting that we should as a country keep
  to our self and has as little as possible to do
  with forien nations and to stay away from having
  a permanent friendship with any forien nations.
• Score Point ____1___

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Student Response E

• George Washington is clearly stating that we
  should keep from making any political ties to any
  country. This is made clear when he states, as
  little political connection as possible. It
  would have been unwise for such a weak country to
  ally itself with any other country.
• Score Point ___2____
• Note Make a transparency and show how to turn
  this into a 3 by answering the question why?

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Student Response F

• He wants the U.S. to stay neutral. It is our
  true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances
  with any portion of the foreign world. He
  doesnt want permanent alliances because if war
  broke out between other foreign countries, then
  he couldnt really help a country without the
  other country becoming an opponent.
• Score Point ____2____

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Where to find short answer questions

• Primary sources including photographs and current
  news articles
• Critical Thinking section of the textbook
• Released TAKS questions

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Additional Ideas

• Teach students to score using highlighters
• Use as warm ups
• Have students create a portfolio. Check to see
  that they have completed all of the short answer
  you have assigned, but have them select the ones
  to be graded.