Science/ELA Essay

Happy Friday!

5th grade students have been working on a project for science class that is now crossing over into ELA. They have been doing dioramas in science and will use the information they gathered to write an essay that will be an ELA grade.

The rough draft (2.5 pages typed) is due Monday for peer review and workshopping. Students have research packets filled out that they should use as an outline to put the paper together. We will work Monday on transitions, introductions, and conclusions.

If students do not have computer access at home, they may handwrite these first drafts, but keep in mind that handwritten pages are generally shorter than typed pages, so 2 1/2 handwritten pages may not be enough to fulfill the minimum.

Here is a rubric to help your student make sure they're achieving highly.

Name: ________________________         Title of Writing: ________________________       

Score	Checklist
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Total: ____	Introduction (Paragraph 1) Does your introductory paragraph include the main idea?  Do you introduce your topic with supporting details? Is your topic stated clearly? Do your supporting details completely relate to the topic? Is your introductory paragraph catchy and does it engage (hook) the reader?
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Total: ____	Body (Paragraphs 3-6, depending on length) Does each paragraph have a clear topic sentence?  Does your writing include facts in your own words (paraphrasing) to support your details and explain your thinking? Does your writing include evidence and specific examples? Do you include evidence-based terms to support your facts (because, according to the text, the author stated, etc.)?
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Total: ____	Conclusion (Last Paragraph) Do you restate (say again) your topic? Did you finish with an ending that leaves the reader satisfied and more knowledgable about your topic? Did you summarize your previous paragraphs?
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Total: ____	Conventions:  Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics  Do you have complete sentences? Is your punctuation and capitalization (beginning of sentences and proper nouns) correct? Is your spelling correct?  Did you indent your paragraphs? Do you have proper grammar?
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Total: ____	Sentence Variation, Organization, and Word Choice  Did you avoid using overused and repetitive language?  Do you include at least three transitional words or phrases (after all, with regard to, in conclusion, etc.)? Did you include domain specific vocabulary?
1 2 3 4 5 Total: ____	Bibliography  Are your resources that were used during the research process listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name?
Total Score:   ___ /105	Comments from the teacher: