Student Work 1

ELA

Performance Task

5 – 1 final

Standard(s):

E5a: The student responds to non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and drama using

interpretive, critical, and evaluation processes; that is, the student:

E5a.2 - Analyzes the impact of authors’ decision regarding word choice and content

E5a.9 - Makes inferences and draws conclusions about contexts, events, characters, and settings

E5b: The student produces work in at least one literary genre that follows the conventions of the grenre.

E2c: The student produces a narrative account (fictional or autobiographical) that:

E2c.1-Engages the reader by establishing a context creating a point of view, and otherwise developing a reader interest

E2c.2-Establishes a situation, plot, point of view, setting and conflict

E2c.4-Includes sensory details and concrete language to develop plot and character

The Task:

Chris Van Allsburg is sponsoring a contest for 5^th grade students to produce a short story based on an illustration from The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. The story must mimic his writing style. You know that Chris Van Allsburg uses the element of surprise, the fine line between reality and fantasy, and open-ended conclusions.

· Before you begin your story, review a collection of books by Chris Van Allsburg.

· Work with a partner. Referring to your collection of books, create a graphic organizer that compares the author’s use of literacy techniques (the fine line between reality and fantasy, the element of surprise, and open-ended conclusions).

· Select a page from the “Mysteries” and think about how you will develop your story. First develop a graphic organizer to help you organize your story, then complete a draft. You will need to use what you have learned about Chris Van Allsburg’s style of writing-include specific examples of the author’s word choices, characters, and events in the two stories. Make sure you indicate which parts of the story are reality and which are fantasy.

· Each of you should then choose one of the illustrations from The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. Think about how you will develop the character(s), setting, plot, problem, and solution based on that illustration.

· You will need to use what you have learning about Van Allsburg, making sure to include at least two of the following literary techniques in your story:

-a fine line between reality and fantasy

-an open ended conclusion

-elements of surprise

· Include these elements in your story:

-a title based on the illustration you chose

-at least one character and a setting

-a story plot centered on a problem and a solution

-a final copy of the story using appropriate conventions of the English language

· Review the final copy of your story with a classmate to see if revisions are needed before submitting it to the contest.

Note: For submission to DoDEA for commentaries on student work, submit the graphic organizer, draft, edited version along with the final copy of the story.

Circumstances of Performance

The student work is produced under the following conditions:

X	Alone	X	in a group
X	In class		as homework
	With teacher feedback	X	with peer feedback
	Timed		extended project
	No opportunity for revision	X	opportunity for revision

Criteria for Success:

· The graphic organizer includes examples of fantasy/reality, an open-ended conclusion, and the element of surprise for the two stories

· The story includes at least two of Van Allsburg’s techniques: a fine line between reality and fantasy, an open-ended conclusion and/or the element of surprise

· The title of the story connects to the illustration

· The story includes at least one character and a setting

· The story plot is centered on a problem and a solution

· The final copy of the story conforms to conventions of the English language

Related Standard(s):

E1a: The student reads at least 25 books or book equivalents.

E2b: The student produces a response to literature

E3c: The student prepares and delivers an individual presentation in which the student:

E3c.1-Shapes information to achieve a particular purpose and to appeal to the interests

and background knowledge of audience members;

E3c.5-Engages the audience with appropriate verbal cues and eye contact;

E3c.6-Projects a sense of individuality and personality in selecting and organizing

content and in delivery.

E4a: The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the rules of the English language in written and oral work, and selects the structures and features of language appropriate to the purpose, audience and context of the work.