The Writing Samples



K-2 Writing Assessment Guidelines

The Wallingford Public Schools feels that it is important to measure each child’s ability to organize and express his/her thoughts in writing. To do this, all students in grades K-2 will complete two writing samples each year. The first sample will be teacher selected and given in November/December. The second sample will be teacher selected and given in March. The March sample will be placed in a cumulative writing folder which will follow the student from grade to grade.

Purpose of the Writing Samples

• To inform instruction- Using the district’s analytical rubric to score the writing prompts, teachers are provided with diagnostic information about the strengths and weaknesses of student’s writing.

• To set goals- Enables teachers to set individual and class writing goals to meet student needs.

• To improve consistency district-wide in writing expectations.

Types of Grade Level Writing

• Student journals

• Free writing

• Narrative writing

• Non-fiction writing

Important: Do not take samples from a structured, pattern story where you have given students a pattern and they fill in a word now and then.

Preparing to Take the Writing Samples

□ Collect samples to score. You do not need to score all of your students at the

same time. You can spread the scoring out over a six week period and do a few

each week.

□ The writing sample does not need to be timed at this level.

Scoring the Writing Samples

□ All prompts will be scored using the Grade K-2 Writing Rubric.

□ Scores for the November/December and March writing samples will be recorded

on the district writing folders.

Completed Writing Samples

□ The November/December writing sample should be saved for parent conferencing and will be

used for lesson planning.

□ The March writing sample will be included in the district writing

folder of each student.

□ Writing samples should include (stapled together):

- Writing sample (clearly marked with student name, date, and

grade)

- Grade K-2 Writing Rubric (final score should be clearly highlighted

or circled)

□ At the end of the 5th grade year, all district writing folders should be purged of all

writing except for the 5th grade prompt. The same should be done at the end of

the 8th grade year (leaving just the 8th grade prompt).

Focus for Instruction

□ Based on the strengths and weaknesses of students, teachers should design

lessons to address student needs.

□ The prompts will be used to assess growth in each student throughout the year.

This information can be shared with parents or the individual student to help set

personal goals for continued growth.

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