Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(Short Answer)
Background
01. The key components of SAQs:
a. employs historical thinking skills (HTS).
b. organizes information around key concepts (KC).
c. uses thematic learning objectives (LO) across periods.
02. SAQs enable students to show their knowledge base and their thought
process behind responding to source material.
03. Create SAQs that focus on the historical thinking skills. Remember that
students write brief responses (no thesis statement!) in complete sentences
with supporting evidence to the prompt.
04. Scoring SAQs is based on a three-point scale.
06. a) Explain why change took place from X to Y (e.g. time periods-also
comparison or change over time).
b) Explain one specific piece of evidence which explains the existence of X.
c) Explain one specific piece of evidence which explains the existence of Y.
07. a) Explain why one of the following was the most significant [cause/factor]
in [a phenomenon] during [time period]. -ora. A
b. B
c. C
a) Explain how X shaped Y between two of the following [groups]:
a. A
b. B
c. C
b) Provide one example of an event or development that supports your
explanation in (a) for the groups chosen.
c) Provide evidence for why one of the other options is less convincing than
your choice in (a). -orc) Provide another example of an event or development that supports
your explanation in a) for the groups chosen.
Periodization Stems
01. a) Explain one specific piece of evidence which illustrates X (e.g. a historical
period, event, development).
b) Explain another specific piece of evidence which illustrates X.
c) Explain one specific piece of evidence which contradicts a) or b).
02. a) Select one of the following [time period/development within a time
period] and argue why it best illustrates the beginning of X (e.g. a
time period or event).
a. A
b. B
c. C
b) Explain one specific piece of evidence which illustrates your choice in (a).
c) Make an argument why one of the other options is not as persuasive as
the one you chose.
03. a) Select one of the following [time period/development within a time period]
and argue why it best represents a turning point in American history.
a. A
b. B
c. C
b) Explain one specific piece of evidence which illustrates your choice in (a).
c) Make an argument why one of the other options is not as persuasive as
the one you chose.
04. a) Explain why one of the following periods best represents X (e.g. a
historical period or event). Provide one piece of evidence from the
period to support your explanation.
a. A
b. B
c. C
b) Explain why one of the other options is not as persuasive as the one
you chose.
Contextualization Stems
01. a) Explain the point of view of the [author/artist].
b) Explain one specific [event, development, phenomenon] which supports
(a).
c) Explain one specific [event, development, phenomenon] which contradicts
(a).
02. a) Explain the point of view of the [author/artist].
b) Explain one specific [event, development, phenomenon] that led the
[author/artist] to express this point of view.
c) Explain one specific [event, development, phenomenon] that would
counter the authors point of view.
03. a) Explain the point of view of the [author/artist] for two of the following:
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
b) Explain one [development, pattern, trend] that [supports/refutes] the
authors point of view for one of your choices.
04. a) Explain the [development, pattern, trend] found in the [excerpt/visual].
b) Explain one specific piece of evidence which reacted to the trend in the
[excerpt/visual].
c) Explain one specific piece of evidence which resulted from the trend in
[excerpt/visual].
Interpretation Stem
01. (Two selected excerpts/visuals that offer contrasting viewpoints)
a) Explain one major difference between Xs and Ys interpretation of [topic/
subject/issue addressed in excerpt].
b) Explain how one development from the period _____ to _____ not explicitly
mentioned in the excerpts could be used to support [Xs argument/
the point of view by X].
c) Explain how one development from the period _____ to _____ [same time
period] not explicitly mentioned in the excerpts could be used to support
[Ys argument/the point of view by Y].