As in other examples, you're going to
be the evaluator! You get to decide what score these student
responses have earned.
Instruction:
Click on the book icon to the right
and open the passage "Thoughts on an Abacus."
You have read it carefully already, so you might skim
or review the key points again for a refresher.
Here's a prompt asking students to think
critically and to analyze the author's purpose.
Extended Response Prompt:
An important part of this selection is the information
about the contest between Chan Kai Kit and the calculator
operator. Discuss the way the author presents this information.
Be sure to answer the following questions:
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who won--the one with
the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
This is a tough question and requires high level thinking
skills to answer.
First: read the
question again. Do you understand what the question is asking?
What are key words that the writer needs to remember?
(1. Why, information about contest, 2. why
'of course,' 3. author's attitude.")
Next: What
are the key elements that need to be included in
a top-notch 4 point response?
Look at the question again and try listing the three key parts needed to completely answer the prompt.
Here's the good part - a
student response to this prompt. As you read each
section, identify the key element this student
is answering.
The author included this information to
prove that the abacus was, and still is, a
form of calculator. Though he was not as fast,
the abacus operator took his time and steadily
get the correct answer, unlike the fast calculator
operator, who rushed his calculations.
Which of the key elements does this paragraph clearly
and correctly answer? Review the
choices from the original question.
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who
won--the one with the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
The author says, "The guy who
won, the one with the abacus of course," because
he is showing who won. The "of course" is thrown
in at the end because that's what the author and the reader
were expecting; the abacus had won. If it had not, that
paragraph including the contest would never have been
written for fear of abacus humiliation.
Which of the key elements does this paragraph clearly
and correctly answer? Review the
choices from the original question.
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who
won--the one with the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
The author, apparently
one who admires the abacus, had positive feelings
toward this contest, which were shown in the
methods and wording he chose to write about
that contest. Most likely, he was pleased
with the contest outcome, because it may promote
the abacus.
Which of the key elements does this paragraph clearly
and correctly answer? Review the
choices from the original question.
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who
won--the one with the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
All three elements are included in this student response
and it definitely earns a four because of the extensive
analysis apparent; Student includes lots of detail and
examples to interpret the text and completely answer the
prompt.
One more interesting student response will
help you identify strengths and weaknesses so that
when you write, you can also focus on the complete
target.
To show that an abacus
is fast and accurate.
Which of the key elements does this paragraph clearly
and correctly answer? Review the
choices from the original question.
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who
won--the one with the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
They said that because
if it was in the story the man with the abacus
lost, you would not think very highly about
the abacus.
Which of the key elements does this paragraph clearly
and correctly answer? Review the
choices from the original question.
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who
won--the one with the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
The author's attutude towards
the contest is like he really does not care
that much.
Which of the key elements does this paragraph clearly
and correctly answer? Review the
choices from the original question.
Why does the author include information about this
contest?
Why does he say, "the guy who
won--the one with the abacus, of course"?
What is the author's attitude toward the contest?
You found out that this student answered all three
elements, but the last answer is not correct.
IMPORTANT POINT: Just answering the question is
not enough. The response must be supported by words in the
reading passage and must make sense. There is NOT evidence
in the text to support the idea that the author, "does
not care that much." Instead the author says:
"I am pleased" that the abacus
still has a place in the world.
"It is comforting" to know some simple
ways still work,
and describes the abacus as "a thing
of art and wonder, made lovely by its usefulness
and made useful by its beauty."
Any of these quotes shows the author has respect and reverence
for the abacus, not that he does not care.
This student shows a BASIC understanding of the
text and earns a 3 point score and you're ready for practice
yourself!
