Choose a text feature from the article. Explain how that text feature helps the reader understand the article. Use details from the article to support your choice.

Write your answer on your answer document.

Score for Sample Student Response #1: Rubric Score 3

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text. The student identifies a text feature, "subheadings," and effectively explains that "Each sub-heading tells what the paragraph under it is about." The student identifies the subheading, "animals everywhere," and states that this section "talks about the animals in the White House."

Score for Sample Student Response #2: Rubric Score 2

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response demonstrates a general understanding of the text. The student identifies a text feature, "boled words," and uses general text-relevant information to explain how the bold words help the reader understand the text: "Animals Eveyware it tooled me that they will be a lot of animals."

Score for Sample Student Response #3: Rubric Score 1

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text. The student identifies a text feature, "Bold faced words . . . subheadings," and uses minimal text-relevant information to explain how these text features help the reader understand the text: ". . . it shows me parts that have different information."

Score for Sample Student Response #4: Rubric Score 0

Annotation, Using the Rubric: This response is irrelevant to the question. The information provided is stated in the text, but does not identify a text feature.

Score 3

The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text.

• Addresses the demands of the question
• Effectively uses text-relevant¹ information to clarify or extend understanding

Score 2

The response demonstrates a general understanding of the text.

• Partially addresses the demands of the question
• Uses text-relevant¹ information to show understanding

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text.

• Minimally addresses the demands of the question
• Uses minimal information to show some understanding of the text in relation to the question

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the question, or missing.²

Note 1:

Text-relevant: This information may or may not be an exact copy (quote) of the text but is clearly related to the text and often shows an analysis and/or interpretation of important ideas. Students may incorporate information to show connections to relevant prior experience as appropriate.

Note 2:

An exact copy (quote) or paraphrase of the question that provides no new relevant information will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: June 2003