Lauren Mroz

Extended Written Response Assessment

Unit: Living Things

Grade: 3rd
Purpose:
The purpose of this formative assessment is to provide the teacher and students with
information on how well every student is progressing on mastering the important concepts in this unit
on Living Things. The assessment will consist of two different tasks used to evaluate students ability
to apply, analyze and synthesize: scenario written response (5 points) and construct and create
written response (5 points). Now that the students are knowledgeable about the structures in animals,
these questions will require the students to apply what they know about animal structures in order to
answer the questions thoroughly. After completing the assessment, students will provide feedback
about the assessment and give themselves a grade based on the grading rubrics provided. When
the written response assessment is graded, the teacher will review the results with each student
individually. This will provide the teacher and the students with information on how well they have
mastered the important concepts in the unit. Students who are struggling with these concepts will be
given help in the areas they need improvement in. The teacher will also gain an understanding on
how well the class as a whole comprehends the material, which will help plan future lessons and the
performance task assessment.

Standards/Benchmarks:

L.OL.03.32

Identify and compare structures in animals used for controlling body temperature,
support, movement, food-getting, and protection (for example: fur, wings, teeth,
scales).

Learning Targets
I can name structures used for movement, foodgetting, controlling temperature, and protection.
I can differentiate between structures used for
movement, food-getting, controlling temperature,
and protection.
I can justify why structures are used for
movement, food-getting, controlling temperature,
and protection.

Knowledge Items

Reasoning Items

1
2

1, 2

Name: _________________________ Seat #:________

Date:__________________________
Directions:
Teacher says (also put on the overhead and given to each student):

Over the past week we have spent some time learning more about the structures animals have
that help them survive. When we all understand these ideas we will work on a two week project that
will show your mastery of these concepts. Today, we are going to see how you are progressing on
the material we have covered so far, and then we can decide if we are ready to move on. When we
are done with the assessment we will go through and discuss the questions together. Afterwards, you
will go through and review what you missed. This will help you understand what you know and what
you need to work on some more.
This assessment will not be graded. You are taking it to see if you can apply and analyze
what you know and comprehend about structures animals use for survival. This short assessment
contains two written questions. The first question is a scenario written response and the second is a
construct and create written response. Each question will be worth a maximum of five points. To
complete the assessment:
In the first section, read Wow! A New Animal! then you will write four sentences
about what the animal uses to move, get food, protect itself, and if you would want
the animal as a pet.
In the second section, Brrr Its cold at the North Pole you will draw a picture of an
animal you would see at the North Pole then write about the structures that animals
has.
Remember; when you are done with each section you will self-grade your answer based on the
rubrics provided. Be honest when you grade yourself, it is okay if you dont think you got the full
points on each question. This is to help you so you can see what you truly understand and what you
may need some extra time learning. Lets read over the rubrics together now. (Teacher reads and
explains page 5 and 8).
Please take your time completing this assessment. You will have from now until lunch time, 45
minutes to finish this assessment. If you have any questions or need help reading something, raise
your hand and I will come to your desk and help you. Before you begin, make sure your full name,
seat number, and the date are on the top of every page. If you do not remember todays date, it is
written on the front board. Remember to completely read the directions so you know what to do.
When you finish this assessment turn the paper over and put at the top of your desk. If you have
extra time, silently take out a book from your desk and practice reading or finish any homework from
your homework folder.
You may now begin this assessment.
Good luck, take your time, and raise your hand if you have a question!

Name: _________________________ Seat #:________

Date:__________________________

Section One:

Scenario Written Response (about 20-25 minutes)

Wow! A New Animal!

In November, a scientist discovered a new animal. The scientist found this animal clung
onto the side of a tree in a rainforest in Northern California. When he brought the animal into
the laboratory, his workers were shocked at what they saw. This animal had short green fur that
covered its entire body. It broke free of its chains and ran quickly around the room on its four
short legs. It even had long, sharp claws on its feet. As it was running a tail covered in spikes
dragged on the ground. When the scientists approached the animal it growled loudly and
showed a mouthful of sharp, pointy, teeth. Finally, they caught the animal and put it in its cage.
As they looked at the animal from a distance they couldnt figure out what its many structures
could be used for, can you help them?
Directions: On the lines on the next page, please write four sentences about what you read. Use the
guidelines below to help you write.

Sentence 1 Name the structure and justify why that structure(s) is used for movement.
Sentence 2 Name the structure and justify why that structure(s) is use to get food.
Sentence 3 Name the structure and justify why that structure(s) is used for protection.
Sentence 4 Explain why or why not you would want this animal to be your pet.

Remember, take your time and write neatly. If you need more room use the back of the test. If you
have a question raise your hand and I will come to your desk and help you.

Name: _________________________ Seat #:________

Date:__________________________

Section One:

Scenario Written Response

Wow! A New Animal!

Directions: Write your sentences using the guidelines about Wow! A New Animal! here:
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Amazing! Now
grade yourself!!

Wow! A New Animal!

Section One:

Directions: Please read the rubric carefully. Decide how you did when you wrote about the discovery of a new
animal. Place an X on the line that explains your answer best. When you are done circle the number (5, 3, 1)
you had the most X marks in.

5 Points
(Amazing)

3 Points
(Im Progressing)

1 Point
(I need some help)

I can name the structure for

movement and justify my
answer.

I either named or justified

the structure for
movement.

I did not name or justify

the structure(s) for
movement.

I can name the structure for

getting food and justify my
answer.

I either named or justified

the structure(s) for getting
food.

I did not name or justify

the structure(s) for
getting food.

I can name the structure used

for protection and justify my
answer.

I either named or justified

the structure(s) used for
protection.

I did not name or justify

the structure(s) for
protection.

I can explain why or why not I

would want this animal as a pet.

I said if I would/would not

want the animal as a pet but
did not explain why or why
not.

I did not explain why or

why not I would want this
animal as pet

Please explain on the lines below why you gave yourself that score.

Name: _________________________ Seat #:________

Date:__________________________

Section Two:

Construct and Create Written Response (about 20-25 minutes)

Brrrrr It is Cold at the North Pole!

Directions: In the space below, draw a picture of an animal you would find at the North Pole.
Remember to include the following things in your drawing:
(1) What the animal would use to move.
(2) What the animal would use to get food.
(3) How the animal would stay warm.
(4) What the animal would use for protection.
After, on the lines provided compose an explanation of the animal you drew. Tell me what kind of
animal it is. Then apply what you know about animal structures to write about what the animal would
use to move, get food, stay warm, and for protection.
You may begin

Nice picture!
Keep going

Name: _________________________ Seat #:________

Date:__________________________

Brrrrr It is Cold at the North Pole! Continued.

Directions: Now it is time to write about your drawing. On the lines provided, use your drawing to tell
me what kind of animal it is. Then apply what you know about animal structures to write about what
the animal would use to move, get food, stay warm, and for protection.
You may begin

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WOW! Now
grade yourself!!!

Section Two:

Brrrrr It is Cold at the North Pole!

Directions: Please read the rubric carefully. Decide how you did when you wrote and drew about an animal at
the North Pole. Place an X on the line that explains your answer best. When you are done circle the number
(5, 3, 1) you had the most X marks in.

5 Points
(Amazing)

3 Points
(Im Progressing)

1 Point
(I need some help)

I can draw a picture of an animal

that would be at the North Pole.

I can draw a picture of an animal but

it is not found at the North Pole.

I did not draw a picture of an

animal.

I named the animal I drew correctly.

I named the type of animal I drew

but it is not correct.

I did not name the type of

animal I drew.

I can draw the structure for

movement and write about how that
structure is used.

I either drew or wrote about the

structure(s) for movement.

I did not draw or write about

the structure(s) for movement.

I can draw the structure for getting

food and write about how that
structure is used.

I either drew or wrote about the

structure(s) for getting food.

I did not draw or write about

the structure(s) for getting
food.

I can draw the structure used for

staying warm and write about how
that structure is used.

I either drew or wrote about the

structure(s) for staying warm.

I did not draw or write about

the structure(s) for staying
warm.

I can draw the structure used for

protection and write about how that
structure is used.

I either drew or wrote about the

structure(s) for protection.

I did not draw or write about

structure(s) used for
protection.

Please explain on the lines below why you gave yourself that score.
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Student Feedback:
Directions: Please answer the following questions about this assessment honestly and in complete
sentences. These questions will not affect your grade but help me understand how you felt about this
assessment and help you understand how you can improve on the next assessment.
1. Did you feel prepared for this assessment?
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2. What section was easiest? Why? (scenario or construct/create written response)

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3. What section was hardest? Why? (Scenario or construct/create written response)

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4. Did it help you to self-grade yourself? Why or why not?

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Great Job on the feedback!
You are done!!