Narrative Rubric: Organization

(page 6)

Organization: logical pattern of ideas that does not overuse a formula

(4) Effective lead, smooth transitions, and logical conclusion based on story events.

(3) Somewhat effective lead. Repetitive transitions/order doesn’t always make sense. Somewhat logical conclusion.

(2) Weak lead. Some order but mostly confusing. Weak conclusion.

(1) No definite lead. Missing transitions. Random details. Writing just stops/no conclusion.

Preparing for Wednesday's Socratic Seminar

We have gathered information about civil rights. The Socratic Seminar is an opportunity to ask questions and share opinions based on what we have read. Refer to these resources to create your questions:

*Jackie Robinson            
*”I Have a Dream”          
*Chief Dan George        
*the Children’s March

Write one factual, two interpretive, and two evaluative questions in your spiral notebook. Refer to the Socratic Seminar notes and question words. Also write one participation goal on the same page as the questions in your spiral notebook. 

Narrative Rubric: Voice and Word Choice

(page 4)

Voice: the convincing personality

(4) Writing comes to life—expressive and shows caring about the topic.

(3) Mostly seems to care about the topic but less expressive.

(2) Some caring but mostly listing information. Too informal or too formal.

(1) Only listing information. Does not seem to care about the topic.

(page 5)

Word Choice: precise and enlightens readers

(4) Sensory language conveys experience precisely. Strong nouns/lively verbs.

(3) Most nouns and verbs are precise. At times, too much sensory language.

(2) Some nouns and verbs are strong but many are ordinary.

(1) Repetitive vocabulary. No attempt at sensory language.

Narrative Rubric: Sentence Fluency

(page 3)

Sentence Fluency: a joy to read aloud

(4) Sentences vary in length and begin in different ways.

(3) Some sentences have different lengths and begin in different ways. Does not have enough rhythm/flow.

(2) Most sentences begin the same way and have the same length. Sometimes re-read to understand.

(1) Stop, re-read, stop, re-read, etc.

Narrative Rubric: Conventions and Idea

Students made mini-books of the Narrative Rubric. For the next two weeks, we will add parts of the rubric, and here are the first two pages.

(Cover)
Six-Trait Writing Rubric

(page 1) 

Conventions: the foundation of writing skills

·         Capitalization

·         Usage/Agreement

·         Punctuation

·         Spelling

(page 2)

Idea: the heart of the message

(4) Reader is engaged/focused through situation. Effective description/dialogue. Fully developed narrator/characters.

(3) Established situation most of the time. Introduced narrator/characters. Most of the time description/dialogue.

(2) Established situation needs work. Introduced narrator/characters. Some description/dialogue.

(1) No established situation/not clear. No narrator/characters. No dialogue.

Six Traits of Writing

Imagine a simple sandwich: two pieces of white bread and one slice of turkey with a little mustard.

Compare that to a gourmet deli sandwich: two asiago cheese buns holding fresh turkey, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, and creamy Miracle Whip dressing. Each layer is organized and unites into a delicious bite.

Writing is like making a sandwich.

Bread = Ideas, holds the content together

Turkey = Voice, the central personality

Lettuce = Word Choice, precise and adds color

Tomato = Sentence Fluency, flow keeps reader interested

Miracle Whip = Organization, binds the flavors together

Plate = Conventions, foundation of writing skills