EL Education created these K-5 rubrics based on an analysis of the grade-level demands of the CCSS, rubrics used by PARCC and Smarter Balanced, and EL Education's own professional expertise (including attention to the Writing for Understanding framework). The downloads for grades 3-5 includes Writing Rubrics, Informal Checklists, and the Phonics and Word Recognition Checklist.

In this lesson, students consider the question "What inspired you to write poetry, and where can you see evidence of this in your poem?" as they begin to write their presentations for the performance task. They begin by analyzing the structure of a model presentation in triads, and then move on to focus on the introduction, generating criteria for an effective introduction before writing their own presentations (W.4.2a, W.4.2b, W.4.4, L.4.1f).
At the end of the lesson, students generate criteria for reading fluency on the Fluent Readers Do These Things anchor chart (RF.4.4).
In this lesson, the habit of character focus is on working to become an effective learner. The characteristic that students are reminded of specifically is collaboration, as they work in a triad to analyze the structure of the model.
The research reading that students complete for homework will help build both their vocabulary and knowledge pertaining to poetry and creative writing. By participating in this volume of reading over a span of time, students will develop a wide base of knowledge about the world and the words that help describe and make sense of it.
This lesson is the final in a series of three that include built-out instruction for the use of Goal 2 Conversation Cues to promote productive and equitable conversation (adapted from Michaels, Sarah and O'Connor, Cathy. Talk Science Primer. Cambridge, MA: TERC, 2012. Based on Chapin, S., O'Connor, C., and Anderson, N. [2009]. Classroom Discussions: Using Math Talk to Help Students Learn, Grades K-6. Second Edition. Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions Publications). Goal 2 Conversation Cues encourage students to listen carefully to one another and seek to understand. Continue drawing on Goal 1 Conversation Cues, introduced in Unit 1, Lesson 3, and add Goal 2 Conversation Cues to more strategically promote productive and equitable conversation. As the modules progress, Goal 3 and 4 Conversation Cues are also introduced. Consider providing students with a thinking journal or scrap paper.

Part 1 and part 2 of this lesson has an upper elementary create an animoto video about themselves or their family in some way.

Assignment:  Make a video with Animoto, to help us learn about YOU!

Here are the choices from which to choose:

About the author video.


Interview someone on video.


Choice - something which teaches us about you about which we didn't know.

Students will get an internet agreement chat and survey, as well as lots of tips and tricks with animoto.

Students will also learn how to take pictures and make video shorts on chromebooks.

In part 2 of this unit, kids will add features, zing, preview, publish, and edit.  They will share on projector and use padlet to reflect.