I attended the following session in January during a SBIC meeting. A couple of our 5th grade teachers also attended a similar session at another time. I then debriefed on the session with 4th and 5th grade teachers. We discussed learning from the session and ideas for implementation. Nicole Feld, Literacy Resource

KCAS and Writing On-DemandSandra Hogue,Elementary Literacy Team

Demonstrating Writing Skill in Testing Situations

Designed to Assess Students’ Writing Skills

KPREP Writing Parts One and TwoStand-Alone Prompt• Student choice

between two prompts

• Opinion (W.1) and Narrative (W.3)

• 30 minutes• Prompt

determines purpose, audience, and format

Passage-Based Prompt

• ONE mandatory prompt

• Informative/Explanatory (W.2)

• 90 minutes• Text-dependent• Prompt

determines purpose, audience, and format

JCPS GENERATED SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

JCPS Unit to Support Guided Practice

Recommendations for Application:A.Guide students through each

experience in the stand-alone prompt section of the unit before simulating a testing situation, allowing students 30 minutes to craft a piece based on an unfamiliar prompt. Utilize the KDE writing rubric to analyze student work and adjust instruction accordingly. Repeat the simulation at least once more, prior to KPREP. Continue to teach authentic writing.

Recommendations for Application:B. Guide students through each

experience in the passage-based on-demand section before simulating a testing situation, allowing students 90 minutes to craft a piece based on an unfamiliar prompt. Utilize the KDE writing rubric to analyze student work and adjust instruction accordingly. Repeat the simulation at least once more, prior to KPREP. Continue to teach authentic writing.

Recommendations for Application:C. Guide students through experiences

in the stand-alone prompt section of the unit periodically throughout the semester before simulating a testing situation, allowing students 30 minutes to craft a piece based on an unfamiliar prompt. Utilize the KDE writing rubric to analyze student work and adjust instruction accordingly. Repeat the simulation at least once more, prior to KPREP. Continue to teach authentic writing.

Recommendations for Application:D. Guide students through experiences

in the passage-based on-demand section periodically throughout the semester before simulating a testing situation, allowing students 90 minutes to craft a piece based on an unfamiliar prompt. Utilize the KDE writing rubric to analyze student work and adjust instruction accordingly. Repeat the simulation at least once more, prior to KPREP. Continue to teach authentic writing.

Performance Tasks

Click icon to add picture

• Provides snapshots of student performance in three simulations throughout the year• Recommended for use next year

H E L P F U L T I P S F O R T E A C H E R S

Writing On-Demand

• TEACH WRITERS ALL YEAR! The guided practice unit and performance tasks will not provide enough support for students to develop as writers. Therefore, demonstrating proficiency in the testing scenario is impossible.– Writing to Learn and About Reading

and Other Content– Writing to Demonstrate Learning–Writing for Publication

Write-to-the-Point

A Closer Look at Stand-Alone Prompts

• 30 minutes• Student choice of MODE - opinion or

narrative (real or imagined)• Purpose, audience and format provided• JCPS Recommends: 1) Reading the

prompts for purposes, audiences and forms, 2) Selecting the best-fit prompt, 3) Brief write-to-the point planning, 4) CAREFULLY using the lead, supporting and closing paragraphs frame to craft a piece in the testing booklet, 5) Rereading for clarity (errors, word choice, etc.)

A Closer Look at Passage-Based Prompts

• 90 minutes• One prompt – NO choice• MODE – Informative/Explanatory• Purpose, audience and format provided• JCPS Recommends: 1) Reading the

prompt for purpose, audience and form, 2) Reading and coding text, 3) Write-to-the-point planning, 4) Carefully using the lead, supporting and closing paragraphs frame to craft a piece in the testing booklet, 5) Rereading for clarity (errors, word choice, etc.)

Current State Scoring Rubric DRAFT

Pending Decisions / Info from KDE• Final decisions about testing time• Scoring rubric• Student sample responses for released

items

Things to Know• Student responses will be scored as

drafts, not polished pieces.• Students will plan and create in the

testing booklet.

About Language Testing at Grade 4• Language Mechanics• 30 multiple choice questions• 30 minutes• Format unknown• The Literacy Team is developing

flashbacks using SBGP passages to support review of language standards, including vocabulary. They are designed to be used as review after best-practice instruction in the context of authentic reading and writing has been provided. They will be available later this week.

PD SESSIONS

We are scheduling professional development sessions to support implementation of the unit. Principals will be notified of dates this week.