Student Work 1

ELA

Performance Task

^2-5^final

Standard(s):

E1b-4. Comprehension

By the end of the year, we expect second-grade students to:

• compare the observations of the author to their own observations when reading nonfiction texts.

E 2b-4. Producing and Responding to Literature

By the end of the year, we expect second-grade students to:

• make connections between the text and their own ideas and lives.

E2c-4. Punctuation, Capitalization, and other Conventions

By the end of the year, we expect second-grade students to:

• use capital letters at the beginnings of sentences.
• use periods to end sentences.

The Task:

Ernie Wan, a well-known author of children’s literature, will be coming to your school to meet with the second grade classes. Many of you have read his book, Lion Dance. Prior to his visit, he has requested that the second graders at our school give him feedback on how a book, such as the Lion Dance, compares to their own family traditions. He will use this information in developing a new children’s book on family traditions.

In the book, Lion Dance, Ernie Wan shares his family tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year. All of us have celebrated a family tradition where each family member shared in the responsibility of the festivity. Each celebration may be different, but how the family feels and participates in the celebration may be similar.

Select a non-fiction book where a family tradition on celebrating a special occasion is the theme. After reading the book, meet with a small group to discuss the way the occasion was celebrated in the book. Talk about the feelings and the responsibilities of the individual family members. Make a chart that lists similar feelings and individual responsibilities from books read by the group members.

You will use the information from the small group discussion to help you write a letter to Ernie Wan. In the letter you will compare the information in the book to your own family tradition. You will tell how your observations, feelings, and experiences are similar to those described in the book. Be sure to give examples from the book and from your own experiences. Use all the steps from the writing process.

After writing your letter, share it with your small group. Use the feedback from the group to edit your letter.

Note: If submitting to DoDEA for written commentary please include the draft, revised copy and final copy of letter.

The student work is produced under the following conditions:

X	alone	X	in a group
X	in class	X	as homework
	with teacher feedback	X	with peer feedback
	timed	X	extended project
	no opportunity for revision	X	opportunity for revision

Criteria for Success:

· writes a half-page to one page letter to the author.

· compares the celebrations using descriptive words.

· makes a connection to his/her own life

· uses correct conventions.

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Related Standard(s):

E2c-2. Vocabulary and Word Choice

By the end of the year, we expect second-grade students to:

· use words from their speaking vocabulary in their writing, including words they have learned from reading and class discussion.

· make choices about which words to use on the basis of whether they accurately convey the intended meaning.

· Extend their writing vocabulary by using specialized words related to the topic or setting of their writing.