Writing Assessment

WIDA Standard
English Language Proficiency Standard 4: English language learners communicate
information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of
Science
Science SOL:
1.5 The student will investigate and understand that animals, including humans, have
basic needs and certain distinguishing characteristics. Key concepts include
a) basic needs include adequate air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat);
b) animals, including humans, have many different physical characteristics;
and
c) animals can be classified according to a variety of characteristics.

Writing SOL
1.13 The student will write to communicate ideas for a variety of purposes.
a) Generate ideas.
b) Focus on one topic.
Grade Level: 1
WIDA Level: 2
Content Objective: Students will identify physical characteristics of sharks, their basic
needs, and their habitat.
Language Objective: Students will write phrases, labels, and make illustrations to
communicate their ideas about sharks. They will use sentence frames to write complete
sentences.
Purpose: Students will use writing to demonstrate their knowledge of sharks. This
assessment is designed to assess students ability to complete sentences using a sentence
frame, use writing to label illustrations, and focus on one topic. Students will be graded
based on their ability to stay on topic, use writing conventions (remember periods), and
correctly label their illustrations. Students will attempt to write a complete sentence about
sharks on their own, but they will not be graded on it.
Directions: (Read aloud to the students) Write your name at the top of the page. Read the
sentence frames below. Choose a word or phrase that finishes a true sentence about
sharks and write it in the blank space. Remember to end your sentence with a period.
Draw a picture of your shark and its habitat. Write a word label that describes the habitat
of the shark below the picture you draw. When you finish, I want you to try your best to
write one sentence at the bottom of the page with a fun fact about a shark. Dont worry if
it is hard. I am not grading you on your sentence, but I want you to try your best.

Fun fact sentence:

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

References
Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. (2007). The WIDA English language
proficiency standards, 2007 edition, PreKindergarten through Grade 12 (3rd ed.).
https://www.wida.us/standards/eld.aspx
Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. (2007). The WIDA English language
can do descriptors, 2007 edition, PreKindergarten through Grade 12 (3rd ed.).
https://www.wida.us/standards/CAN_DOs/#keyuses
Brown, H. D., & Abeywickrama, P. (2010). Language assessment: Principles and classroom
practices (2nd ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.
Google images. (2011). Retrieved from
http://firstgradefanatics.blogspot.com/2011/11/whales-and-sharks.html
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). English standards of learning for Virginia Public
Schools grade one. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/stds_english1.pdf
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). Science standards of learning for Virginia
Public Schools. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/2010/k6/stds_science1.pdf