Read the article 'Strongest of All'. Then answer the following.

Explain whether the title "Strongest of All" supports an important idea in the story. In your response, use details and examples from the story that support your explanation. Write your answer on your answer document.

Annotation: The reader answers that "The title 'Strongest of All' supports it…" and then offers marginal text support "because they are talking about who is the strongest and all of them are the strongest at somethig." To strengthen this response the reader should identify what important idea in the story is being supported. The text support should be more exact identifying who "they" are, what "they" say about being strong, and detailing how each of "them" is strong "at something."

Annotation: The reader answers that "Strogest of All support the a lot." Next the reader refers to the text stating "the Eluphent and the Whale are very strong" and offers an example that "the rabit made them to pull the rope agente chuther." To improve this response the reader should state an important idea which involves physical strength and show how both the elephant and whale are strong. To continue the reader should point out the significance of the elephant and whale pulling the rope in opposite directions and what both learn from the experience.

Annotation: The reader states that "Strongest of All is a good title because Rabbit shows them a lesson that when it comes to cleverness Rabbit is the strongest of all." Additionally the reader states "Rabbit puts a trick on them and teaches them a lesson that everyone is powerful in their own way." The reader offers text support that both the elephant and the whale believe they are "strong" and "great" and states explicitly "Elephant shall rule land" and "whale shall rule sea." But "Rabbit doesn't think that's fair" and "puts a trick on them." To improve this response, the reader should choose whether an important idea in the text is about cleverness or power. To adequately support an important idea the reader should show how elephant and whale are strong and why rabbit feels it is not fair for them to rule. Further the reader should detail the trick and its end result. Ultimately the ideas of strength and fairness should be related to the selected important idea of cleverness or power.

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