Kfamily Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 and then see a teacher's evaluation of it. Dd has finished her essay! Whew! It was a valuable learning experience, but it was a lot of work. I've seen the value in it so much, I want to plan more for her. I know she just needs practice and more practice. Part of the problem is with me. I tend to initally get overwhelmed with her first draft. I'm usually thinking that I don't even know where to start. I think I need more practice. I need to read essays and grade/evaluate them myself and then see a more experienced teacher's thoughts. I think this would help me grow in this direction and be a better teacher to dd. I've read on this board and talked with other moms, and this seems to be one of the main reasons we struggle with teaching writing. Any sites online or even books that I might use to help me? FWIW, I had her write her essay and we edited it many times. The end result is still not perfect, but it is a lot better. Or... Maybe we could start a thread where experienced teachers/parents could post a sample composition and then post their evaluation of it. We could be sure it included no mention of who wrote it and of course what grade and/or writing level it was. :leaving::D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 Thanks Christina, I would love rubrics for WTM writing too. I would really love some for each level and each type of writing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Maybe this rubric will help. After you have made notes on his paper about ways to improve his essay, you can use the rubric below to highlight the phrases you feel best describe his writing. I like this rubric because your child can see that while he may be proficient with his organization, his idea development might fall under the novice category (with minimal development and/or limited details, etc.). His final "score" will be the level with the most highlighted phrases. NOVICE, Level 1 • Limited awareness of audience and/or purpose • Minimal idea development; limited and/or unrelated details • Random and/or weak organization • Incorrect and/or ineffective sentence structure • Incorrect and/or ineffective language • Errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization disproportionate to length and complexity of writing APPRENTICE, Level 2 • Some evidence of communicating with an audience for a specific purpose; some lapses in focus • Unelaborated idea development; unelaborated and/or repetitious details • Lapses in organization and/or coherence • Simplistic and/or awkward sentence structure • Simplistic and/or imprecise language • Some errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization that do not interfere with communication PROFICIENT, Level 3 • Focused on a purpose; communicates with audience; evidence of voice and/or suitable tone • Depth of idea development supported by elaborated, relevant details • Logical, coherent organization • Controlled and varied sentence structure • Acceptable, effective language • Few errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization relative to the length and complexity DISTINGUISHED, Level 4 • Establishes a purpose and maintains clear focus; strong awareness of audience; evidence of distinctive voice and/or appropriate tone • Depth and complexity of ideas supported by rich, engaging, and/or pertinent details; evidence of analysis, reflection, insight • Careful and/or subtle organization • Variety in sentence structure and length enhances effect • Precise and/or rich language • Control of spelling, punctuation, and capitalization Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted November 30, 2010 Author Share Posted November 30, 2010 Nice! I like this one. This is helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Nice! I like this one. This is helpful! :iagree: Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 and then see a teacher's evaluation of it. Dd has finished her essay! Whew! It was a valuable learning experience, but it was a lot of work. I've seen the value in it so much, I want to plan more for her. I know she just needs practice and more practice. Part of the problem is with me. I tend to initally get overwhelmed with her first draft. I'm usually thinking that I don't even know where to start. I think I need more practice. I need to read essays and grade/evaluate them myself and then see a more experienced teacher's thoughts. I think this would help me grow in this direction and be a better teacher to dd. I've read on this board and talked with other moms, and this seems to be one of the main reasons we struggle with teaching writing. Any sites online or even books that I might use to help me? FWIW, I had her write her essay and we edited it many times. The end result is still not perfect, but it is a lot better. Or... Maybe we could start a thread where experienced teachers/parents could post a sample composition and then post their evaluation of it. We could be sure it included no mention of who wrote it and of course what grade and/or writing level it was. :leaving::D I would LOVE to see something like this. I was looking for samples yesterday for a book review, wondering if I was asking too much of DS. He can write, as he's proven with creative writing, but getting him to do essay type writing is murder. If he can't get away with responding with one sentence, he doesn't want anything to do with it. :banghead: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjarnold Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Maybe this rubric will help. After you have made notes on his paper about ways to improve his essay, you can use the rubric below to highlight the phrases you feel best describe his writing. I like this rubric because your child can see that while he may be proficient with his organization, his idea development might fall under the novice category (with minimal development and/or limited details, etc.). His final "score" will be the level with the most highlighted phrases. NOVICE, Level 1 • Limited awareness of audience and/or purpose • Minimal idea development; limited and/or unrelated details • Random and/or weak organization • Incorrect and/or ineffective sentence structure • Incorrect and/or ineffective language • Errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization disproportionate to length and complexity of writing APPRENTICE, Level 2 • Some evidence of communicating with an audience for a specific purpose; some lapses in focus • Unelaborated idea development; unelaborated and/or repetitious details • Lapses in organization and/or coherence • Simplistic and/or awkward sentence structure • Simplistic and/or imprecise language • Some errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization that do not interfere with communication PROFICIENT, Level 3 • Focused on a purpose; communicates with audience; evidence of voice and/or suitable tone • Depth of idea development supported by elaborated, relevant details • Logical, coherent organization • Controlled and varied sentence structure • Acceptable, effective language • Few errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization relative to the length and complexity DISTINGUISHED, Level 4 • Establishes a purpose and maintains clear focus; strong awareness of audience; evidence of distinctive voice and/or appropriate tone • Depth and complexity of ideas supported by rich, engaging, and/or pertinent details; evidence of analysis, reflection, insight • Careful and/or subtle organization • Variety in sentence structure and length enhances effect • Precise and/or rich language • Control of spelling, punctuation, and capitalization This is very helpful. Thanks! Tiffany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekmom Posted November 30, 2010 Share Posted November 30, 2010 Creekmom, did you write this? No, the rubric was something I used when I taught 8th grade language arts 12 years ago. It was designed to help teachers score KERA writing portfolios. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted December 1, 2010 Author Share Posted December 1, 2010 Any suggestions for a book or website that would help with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 The Advanced Writing books from MCT have numerous essay examples along with Michael's critiques in them. My dd finds them to be very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 Writing Strands has a book called Evaluating Writing. I haven't read it yet, but I plan to do so over Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted December 1, 2010 Author Share Posted December 1, 2010 Thank you, Lisa. At this point, I want to buy all of MCT's books!:D I already need the Town level for my younger dd, and I'd love the whole set for ME. Thank you, Amy. I owned Evaluative Writing at one point...:lol:and this is one moment when I wish I still had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 This is the nicest one I've seen! And I have quite a collection by now GRIN. -Nan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Uhura Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 MCT's latest book, Opus 40???? might be helpful. I know there are several websites that give essays and scores them. I will take a look on my other computer and see if I can find the links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted December 1, 2010 Author Share Posted December 1, 2010 Thank you, Captain Uhura, for any links you might have! I'll take a look at some of the MCT books, especially Opus 40. I think I could get some of this for Christmas (my main gift), but it will be so hard to pick and choose.:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted December 1, 2010 Share Posted December 1, 2010 The sample lesson for the Duke King Arthur course (mentioned in an earlier thread) has directions for short answer writing assignments and a rubric for grading them. (See pages 5-7) This is a course designed to be challenging for 6-8 graders, so the writing expectations are probably on the end closer to early high school writing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 Very Nice, Sebastian (a lady), I like this! Thank you.:001_smile: I could use this with dd's history short answer work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.