The following 8 Anchor Papers represent a range of score points and are used in conjunction with the rubrics to assess student responses.

Score for Anchor Paper #1: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response shows evidence of a minimal understanding of the text. The student answers the question (both the picture and story are about an African safari) and names common elements (Jeep; tall grass; many different types of herd animals). A difference (I can't see lions in the picture) is also provided.

Score for Anchor Paper #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response shows evidence of a minimal understanding of the text. Although the student states that the ideas are similar, the reference to the photograph is vague (the essay describes the photograph and before I even saw the photo I had a great vision of what it looked like) and does not clearly support this conclusion. The quote from "Grasses" (the herd of zebras expand to include impalas, gazelles) includes specific details that could be relevant to the photo, but the response lacks information to support an understanding of the text in relation to the question. The last statement (I can picture a herd of animals) lacks an explanation of how this concept supports similar ideas in the two pieces of text.

Score for Anchor Paper #3: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response shows evidence of a minimal understanding. This student sees the two works as "a little different." A brief comparison of the photo and essay includes elements described in the essay, but not contained in the photograph (isn't a lion; zebras do not look like they're running). More textual support for the student's ideas is needed to receive a higher score.

Score for Anchor Paper #4: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a partial understanding of the text. The student compares the similarities of the picture and the essay by citing some literal aspects (the land rover; tourists; animals; safari). Also included is implied information (the essay concentrates on the discovery of new animals and new knowledge; people in the photograph, like the author of the essay,…are fascinated by the animals). The student attempts to support this insight (expresses her fascination by her in-depth descriptions of her experience and feelings); however, this observation lacks specificity and, thus, does not fully connect the support to the conclusion.

Score for Anchor Paper #5: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a literal understanding of the text. The student focuses on a comparison of the setting as seen in the photograph and described in the text (in the photograph you start to recognize the setting that was laid out for you; concentrations of animals; hooves of the wildebeests; the herd of zebra). The tall grass evident in the photo and described in the essay is also noted. By using appropriate expressed ideas and visual elements, the student addresses the demands of the question.

Score for Anchor Paper #6: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: Demonstrating a partial understanding of the text, the student shows similarities in references to both the essay (hundreds of zebras walk the skyline; herd of zebra expands to include impalas) and the photograph (land rover; herds of zebras and gazelles migrating; high grasses). The student concludes that "the photo provides an image for Terry Tempest Williams experience," but this insight needs more support.

Score for Anchor Paper #7: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the texts. The student begins with a simple summary of the essay (narrator in the essay travels to Africa, a country at that point she had not explored) and gives some text support (hundreds of zebras walk the skyline; I have never seen such concentration of animals). A succinct description of the picture (a group of four in a land rover watching a herd of zebras) is then provided, proving the commonality of the texts. Moving beyond the literal, the student recognizes the "magic of seeing something for the first time" and supports this idea (upon seeing a lion…every aspect is imbued with magic; the magic present within Africa - the beautiful and exotic wildlife, the breathtaking landscape).

Score for Anchor Paper #8: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: By providing specific details and explaining why the photograph does not communicate ideas similar to those found in the essay, this response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text. One comparison involves the attitude of the tourists. (The people in the Rover seem to be coldly observing the herds, almost as if the animals are a temporary block in the road. The writer of the essay conveys a sense of wonderment.) Another discussion describes the appearance/attitude of the people. (The tourists in this photograph are far away, too far to make out any real expressions; without any visual aid, the author shows the reader how she feels: thrilled with continual discovery.) Through these insightful, specific comparisons, the student clarifies and extends understanding beyond the literal.

Additional Scored Student Responses