Scoring guide · Weeks 7–12 · 40–45 min · 44 points
ELA Unit 2 Test: Informational Text & Research Writing
Directions for the grown-up
You may read the directions for every section aloud. In Nonfiction Comprehension and Text Features, you may also read the questions and answer choices aloud, but not the reading pages: your child reads those on their own. In Vocabulary & Word Study, read only the directions. Do not read the words or sentences in the items. In Informational Writing, read the prompt aloud. Your child may look back at "Hermit Crabs" while writing, but do not spell words for them.
Part 1: Nonfiction Comprehension (12 points)
Standards: RI.2.1, RI.2.2, RI.2.3
- Where does a hermit crab live?Answer: Near the sea (1), inside an empty shell another sea animal left behind (1). · 2 points
- What is the main topic of the whole text?Answer: Hermit crabs and their shells · 2 points
- What is the second paragraph mostly about?Answer: How the shell keeps the crab safe. · 2 points
- How does a hermit crab stay safe when a bird comes near?Answer: It pulls its body inside the shell (1) and blocks the opening with its big claw (1). · 2 points
- Why does a hermit crab need a new shell?Answer: It keeps growing (1), so its shell gets too small (1). · 2 points
- Why does the crab move into a new shell fast?Answer: Without a shell it is not safe, because its soft body is easy to hurt. · 2 points
Scoring: 2 points for a complete answer that matches the text. 1 point for an answer with only one of the two parts. 0 for no answer or an answer not in the text. Choice items: 2 points if correct, 0 if not.
Part 2: Text Features (8 points)
Standards: RI.2.5
- On what page would you read about gulls?Answer: Page 10 · 2 points
- What are tube feet? What part of the book told you?Answer: Tiny parts under a sea star's arms that help it move and hold on to rocks (1). The glossary (1). · 2 points
- In the Sea Stars section, draw a box around the heading. Circle the bold word.Answer: Box: Sea Stars (1). Circle: tube feet (1). · 2 points
- What does the caption tell you?Answer: A sea star holds on to a rock while the tide is low. · 2 points
Scoring: Each item is worth 2 points. Items with two parts get 1 point for each part.
Part 3: Informational Writing (12 points)
Standards: W.2.2, W.2.7, W.2.8
- Write an All About paragraph about hermit crabs. Start with a hook or a topic sentence. Give at least three facts from "Hermit Crabs" in your own words. Tell what a hermit crab is (a definition). End with a closing sentence. Under your paragraph, write the title of your source.Answer: Rubric (12 points): Introduction (2): a hook question or topic sentence that names hermit crabs. Facts (3): 1 point for each true fact from the source, up to 3, in the child's own words. Definition (2): 2 = a clear definition ("A hermit crab is a small sea animal that lives in an empty shell"); 1 = a partial one. Closing (2): 2 = a closing sentence that sums up; 1 = an ending that just stops. Source (1): the title "Hermit Crabs" is written under the paragraph. Conventions (2): 2 = almost all sentences start with a capital and end with a mark; 1 = some do. · 12 points
Scoring: Use the rubric in the answer. A fact copied word for word still counts, but point out that notes should be in their own words.
Part 4: Vocabulary & Word Study (12 points)
Standards: L.2.4b, L.2.4, RF.2.3, L.2.2d
- What does fearful mean?Answer: full of fear · 2 points
- Add the ending. Write the new word. slow + ly = ________ dark + ness = ________Answer: slowly (1); darkness (1) · 2 points
- Draw a line between the two syllables in each word. cobweb robotAnswer: cob|web (1); ro|bot (1) · 2 points
- Draw a line between the two small words in each compound word. hilltop driftwoodAnswer: hill|top (1); drift|wood (1) · 2 points
- Read the sentence. What does sturdy mean? The shell was sturdy, so it did not crack when the wave hit it.Answer: strong and hard to break · 2 points
- Circle the word that is spelled right in each sentence. The kids fed (their / thier) crab. The crab hid (becuz / because) a gull came near.Answer: their (1); because (1) · 2 points
Scoring: Each item is worth 2 points. Items with two parts get 1 point for each part. Choice items: 2 points if correct, 0 if not. Suffixes are Week 7, high-frequency words Week 8, syllables Week 9, compound words and context clues Week 10.
| Level | Points |
|---|---|
| D · Developing | 0–21 |
| A · Approaching | 22–30 |
| P · Proficient | 31–39 |
| E · Exemplary | 40–44 |