Countdown to STAAR Writing Adapted from JoAnn Angelini

Countdown to STAAR Writing STAAR Writing Test Design - For the Teacher  Students can work through the test in any order each day: composition first or multiple-choice first.  Students may use dictionaries for the entire test (multiple-choice section and the written compositions).  Students will write three one-page compositions (26 lines maximum) in response to prompts from the eligible modes for the grade level.  Grade 7 Compositions: Personal Narrative (with extension) and Expository  Compositions will be weighted evenly.  No “gatekeeper” (no automatic fail of the Writing Test for a 1 on a composition) Information taken from STAAR Overview: Grade 4 and Grade 7 Writing, presented by Barbara Tutt and Marsha Peters, TEA

Countdown to STAAR Writing STAAR Standards In this lesson, students will Category 1: The student will demonstrate an ability to compose a variety of written texts with a clear, controlling idea, coherent organization; sufficient development; and effective use of language and conventions.  Analyze the different components of the STAAR Writing Task.  Learn to read prompts and clarify expectations for the task, and purpose  Read written texts with an eye for what needs to be revised or edited as appropriate for the task. Category 2: The student will demonstrate an ability to revise a variety of written texts. Category 3: The student will demonstrate an ability to edit a variety of texts.

Countdown to STAAR Writing Writing Test Blueprint Writing Time Limit: 4 hours Category 1:Composition2 compositions Category 2: Revision16 multiple-choice Category 3: Editing24 multiple-choice 40 multiple-choice 2 compositions

Countdown to STAAR Writing The Writing Test: Day 1 CompositionsRevisionEditing 1 composition 1 page each-26 lines 3-4 passages 16 mc items 3-4 passages 24 mc items mc = multiple choice The Writing Test: Day 2 CompositionsRevisionEditing 2 compositions 1 page each-26 lines

Countdown to STAAR Writing

Countdown to STAAR Writing What makes a Good Personal Narrative? The personal narrative on STAAR must have two components: Tells a story related to the prompt. Communicates the importance of the event.

Countdown to STAAR Writing What makes a Good Personal Narrative? The Structure of a StoryChoices Beginning: Stories begin with an exposition which includes  Setting (time and place)  Introducing characters  An initiating event  A mood  A clear narrator (Since this a personal narrative, first person (I) must be used. You can start with  a question and talk directly to the reader.  dialogue and action (the initiating event)  personal reflection (about what you learned)  describing the setting Middle: A series of events  outlining the conflict  identifying and describing characters  using dialogue and narration  explaining the turning point/decision You should  Combine dialogue and narration  Stick to the exciting parts of the story  Add details to help readers see and feel your experience  Explain your thinking or reactions to the events (Remember you are the narrator)  use transitions to show strong sentence-to- sentence connections Ending  Describe the results of the story (resolution)  Explain the significance of the event You should  Explain if and how the conflict was resolved  Tie up loose ends You can  Flash forward and reflect about how you changed as a result of the action  Tell what you learned from the experience

Countdown to STAAR Writing What makes a Good Expository Narrative? The expository on STAAR must have : A clear controlling idea or thesis* Organized and well-developed explanations Factual information *A thesis statement is an opinion-based sentence that names the topic of your paper. It should clearly state what you plan to support, discuss, or prove.

Countdown to STAAR Writing What Makes a Good Expository Composition ? The Structure of an EssayChoices The introduction: A paragraph that includes  information to gain the reader’s attention  A thesis statement or controlling idea You can begin with  a quotation or proverb  an anecdote (short personal story)  a startling or interesting fact  a question to your readers You must  write your thesis in at least one complete sentence. Body: Two or Three paragraphs to present your explanation. Each paragraph should  focus on one single idea  state the topic of the paragraph in a sentence  support your topic sentence with different kinds of evidence o Personal experience o Facts or details o Examples  explain what your example (evidence) means and why it matters You should  use transitions at the beginning of and within the paragraphs  use details and precise language  use figurative language such as similes or metaphors  write at least three sentences for each paragraph Conclusion: Write one a paragraph to  restate your thesis  draw a conclusion based on the information you presented  give your reader a satisfying ending You can  start with a transition  summarize your main ideas  tell your reader why it’s important to his or her life  suggest that your reader take some action

Countdown to STAAR Writing What Makes a Good Expository Composition ? Develop a SEE outline for your best two reasons. StatementWrite your first reason in a sentence. EvidenceBack up your reason with a personal example or something you have read or heard about. (It may take up to three or four sentences to fully write out your evidence.) ExplainExplain how the example supports your statement.

Countdown to STAAR Writing Prompt Analysis-Narrative Look at the picture below. The prompt may or may be not be identified. Ask students to jot two or three words or phrases that the picture brings to mind. Explain that picture is there to stimulate thinking about topic. This is not the prompt! Ask students to jot two or three words or phrases that the picture brings to mind. Explain that picture is there to stimulate thinking about topic. This is not the prompt! Prompt for Personal Narrative Friendships are important to middle school students. A statement like this may (or may not) be included to help stimulate about the topic. This is not the prompt! Circle the task. (Write a personal narrative). Discuss potential topics. Write a personal narrative about a time when you learned the meaning of true friendship. Be sure to write in detail about the events that lead to your understanding of what friendship is and what you learned from the experience. Underline the elements or critical features. -Personal experience -Relate events (your story) -Explain what you learned Underline the elements or critical features. -Personal experience -Relate events (your story) -Explain what you learned

Countdown to STAAR Writing Prompt Analysis-Expository READ the information in the box below. The prompt may or may be not be identified. Prompt for Expository Writing Fifty-eight percent of kids say that someone has been mean or hurtful to them online. Fifty-three percent of kids say that have been mean or hurtful to another person online. The Read information is not the prompt! Students should incorporate the quote in the paper. THINK carefully about the following statement. Experts say online communication can bring out your mean side. The Think statement is provided to stimulate thinking and does not need to be directly addressed in the essay. WRITE an essay explaining whether you think that online communication encourages mean behavior or if being online has nothing to do with mean or hurtful behavior. This is the prompt. Notice that the task is to explain. Although you will need to clearly state an opinion, the goal is to help your reader understand what has lead you to that opinion.