Assessment

Common Writing Assessment K-8

MAP Language Usage-Grades 3-8
WASL Grades 4 and 7

Resources
(Adopted & Supplemental)

Harcourt Trophies

Component

Trait

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6,7,8

1.1 Prewrites to generate ideas and plan writing

1.2 Produces draft(s)

1.3 Revises to improve text

1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary

2.1 Adapts writing for a variety of purposes

2.2 Writes for different purposes.

2.3 Writes in a variety of forms/genres

3.1Develops ideas and organizes writing

4.1 Analyzes and evaluate others' and own writing

4.2 Sets goals for improvement

Idea

Use pictures and talk for thinking about and planning writing

Dictates ideas that match pictures.

Topic is focused, centers around one idea given orally

Brainstorms and generates a graphic organizer with teacher guidance

Uses interesting and important details.

Generates ideas orally.

Ideas are fresh and original

Plans for writing with graphic organizers.

Writes from knowledge or experience

Details go beyond obvious or predictable

Generates ideas orally

Plans for writing with graphic organizers.

Gathers information from more than one source

Use of accurate details that support main ideas.

Generates and organizes ideas w/variety of prewriting strategies.

Plans for writing with graphic organizers.

Keeps a narrow and manageable focus.

Reader's questions are anticipated and answered

Generates ideas prior to organizing them.

Gathers information from a range of sources.

Narrows topic with a thesis statement.

Selects relevant details to extend idea

Uses anecdotes, statistics, personal experiences, quotes/dialog, cause and effect, and multiple examples.

Assessment

Common Writing Assessment K-8

MAP Language Usage-Grades 3-8
WASL Grades 4 and 7

Resources
(Adopted & Supplemental)

Harcourt Trophies

Component

Trait

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6,7,8

1.2 Produces draft(s)

1.3 Revises to improve text.

1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary

3.1 Develops ideas and organizes writing (understands that writing is organized around one topic.)

4.1 Analyzes and evaluate others' and own writing

4.2 Sets goals for improvement.

Begins to group like words and pictures

Attempts sequencing and transitions orally.

Transitions connect main ideas.

Easy to follow important ideas stand out.

Use of introduction and conclusion.

Creates a title that captures the central theme.

Creates an inviting introduction and a satisfying conclusion.

Use of body paragraphs to support main idea.

Thoughtful transitions.

Sequencing is logical and effective.

Writer considers pacing of story, where to add more or less detail.

Uses correct organizational writing pattern according to purpose.

Upper level transitions show relationships between paragraphs.

Engaging introduction.

Creates a conclusion that is a mere repetition of introduction.
5 W's & How.

Assessment

Common Writing Assessment K-8

MAP Language Usage-Grades 3-8
WASL Grades 4 and 7

Resources
(Adopted & Supplemental)

Harcourt Trophies

Component

Trait

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6,7,8

1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary

2.1 Adapts writing for a variety of audiences

3.2 Uses appropriate style (Understands concept of personal voice.)

4.1 Analyzes and evaluate others' and own writing

4.2 Sets goals for improvement

Communicates feeling on paper.

Awareness that writing will be read by someone else.

Writing is individual and cares about topic

Point of view is evident.

Writer connects with the audience.

Uses word choice to show emotion and interest. Includes personal details.

Narrative writing is personal and engaging

Writes to a specific audience.

Writes in an appropriate and consistent voice across the genres.

Writes from more than one point of view.

Writes in an individual and informed voice.

Assessment

Common Writing Assessment K-8

MAP Language Usage-Grades 3-8
WASL Grades 4 and 7

Resources
(Adopted & Supplemental)

Harcourt Trophies

Component

Trait

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6,7,8

1.2 Produces draft(s)

1.3 Revises to improve text

1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary

2.1 Adapts writing for a variety of audiences

3.2 Uses appropriate style (Uses a variety of words.)

4.1 Analyzes and evaluate others' and own writing

4.2 Sets goals for improvement.

Pictures stand for words and phrases.

Copies environmental text.

Uses favorite/high frequency words correctly.

Everyday words used well.

Attempts to use descriptive words to create images.

Experiments with new and different words.

Avoids repetition, vague words, and clichés.

Easy to understand meaning of writing.

Uses words for specificity.

Uses lively verbs to add energy.

Use of specific nouns and modifiers to add depth.

Language and phrasing are natural, effective and appropriate.

Striking words and phrases often catch the reader's eye.

Choices in language enhance the meaning and clarify understanding.

Uses precise language to persuade or influence.

Use of technical language and literary devices.

Assessment

Common Writing Assessment K-8

MAP Language Usage-Grades 3-8
WASL Grades 4 and 7

Resources
(Adopted & Supplemental)

Harcourt Trophies

Component

Trait

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6,7,8

1.2 Produces draft(s)

1.3 Revises to improve text

1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary

3.2
Uses appropriate style (Understands sentence fluency)

4.1 Analyzes and evaluate others' and own writing

4.2 Sets goals for improvement.

Attempts simple sentences.

Begins to writes short, repetitive sentence patterns.

Sentence structure is correct and creative.

Uses simple and some compound sentences.

Consistently uses sentence variety.

Variety of sentence beginnings.

Students will use rhythm and flow in writing.

Purposeful and creative sentence structure.

Sentences vary in length as well as in structure.

Dialogue sounds natural.

Sequences ideas and uses transitional words and phrases to link events, facts, reasons, and opinions within and between paragraphs.

Varied sentence structure and length with cadence and flow.

Assessment

Common Writing Assessment K-8

MAP Language Usage-Grades 3-8
WASL Grades 4 and 7

Resources
(Adopted & Supplemental)

Harcourt Trophies

Component

Trait

Kindergarten

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6,7,8

1.3 Revises to improve text

1.4 Edits text

1.5 Publishes text to share with an audience

1.6 Adjusts writing process as necessary

3.3 Knows and applies writing conventions

4.1 Analyzes and evaluate others' and own writing

4.2 Sets goals for improvement.

Uses spaces between letters and words.

Consistently writes left to right and top to bottom.

Uses mixed upper and lower cased letters.

Writes upper and lowercase letters.

Uses appropriate spacing.

Writes left to right and top to bottom.

High frequency words are used correctly.

Capitals used when necessary.

Basic punctuation is used correctly.

Shows control over standard grammar and handwriting.

Effectively writes a paragraph around one topic.

Grammar and usage are correct indent consistently to show paragraph.

Consistency in printing (spacing, formation, upper/lower case).

Moves to multi-paragraph structure.

More grammar and usage.

Punctuation is accurate and creative. Uses resources to check spelling.

Consistency in printing or cursive (spacing, formation, upper/lower case).

Grammar and usage are correct.

Spelling is correct on more difficult words.

Consistency in printing or cursive (spacing, formation, upper/lower case).

Uses grammar and usage rules from previous grades. Spelling and punctuation rules from previous grades. Paragraphing tends to be sound and reinforces organizational structure.

Consistency in printing or cursive (spacing, formation, upper/lower case).

Uses grammar and usage rules from previous grades.

Spelling rules from previous grades.

Emphasis on commas, colons, semi-colons, hyphens.

Use of advanced grammar techniques.