LDC Mini-task

American Colonies Letter Part 2

GRADES

DISCIPLINE

COURSE

Social Studies

American History

PACING

SKILL AND DEFINITION

Literacy Design Collaborative

PRODUCT AND PROMPT

SCORING GUIDE

1 of 4

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

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LDC Mini-task
PACING
1 hr

SKILL AND DEFINITION

PRODUCT AND PROMPT

SCORING GUIDE

PLANNING > PLANNING THE

WRITING: Ability to develop a
line of thought and text structure
appropriate to an argumentation
task.

AMERICAN COLONIES LETTER

PART 2
After researching primary
and secondary sources about life in
the American Colonies, write a letter
to a
relative living in England in
which you argue whether or not
they should move to the Colonies.

Investigation0 The student

does not reach a standard
described by any of the
descriptors
below.
12 The student:
formulates a very
general research question
makes a limited attempt
to follow an action plan to
investigate a
question
collects and records
limited information, not
always in line with the
research question
makes a limited attempt
to address the research
question.
34 The student:
formulates an adequate
research question
partially follows an action
plan to investigate a
research question
uses a method or
methods to collect and
record some information
in
line with the research
question
partially addresses the
research question.
56 The student:
formulates a clear
research question
satisfactorily follows an
action plan to investigate
a research
question
uses methods to collect
and record appropriate
information in line
with the research question
satisfactorily addresses

Literacy Design Collaborative

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INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
Mini-Lesson modeling how to construct the letter and review of
expectations.
Students use their Cornell style notes to write an extended constructed
response. The response must be written in first person. Include a minimum
of 3 aspects of Colonial Life to construct your argument.

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LDC Mini-task
PACING

SKILL AND DEFINITION

PRODUCT AND PROMPT

the research
SCORING
question.
GUIDE
78 The student:
formulates a clear and
focused research question
follows an action plan
effectively to investigate a
research question
uses methods accurately
to collect and record
appropriate and
varied information in line
with the research question
effectively addresses the
research question.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Communication
0 The student does not
reach a standard
described by any of the
descriptors
below.
12 The student:
tries in a limited way to
communicate information
and ideas in a
style that is appropriate to
the audience and purpose
tries in a limited way to
structure information
according to the task
instructions
tries in a limited way to
create a list of sources of
information.
34 The student:
communicates
information and ideas in a
style that is sometimes
appropriate to the
audience and purpose
structures information
sometimes according to
the task instructions
creates a list of sources
of information sometimes
according to the

Literacy Design Collaborative

3 of 4

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LDC Mini-task
PACING

SKILL AND DEFINITION

PRODUCT AND PROMPT

taskSCORING
instructions.
GUIDE
56 The student:
communicates
information and ideas in a
style that is often
appropriate to the
audience and purpose
structures information
often according to the task
instructions
creates a list of sources
of information often
according to the task
instructions.
78 The student:
communicates
information and ideas in a
style that is completely
appropriate to the
audience and purpose
structures information
and ideas completely
according to the task
instructions
creates a list of sources
of information according to
the task instructions.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES

Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1 : Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2 : Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior
knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4 : Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social
studies.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1B : Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic
or text.

by Daniel T. Medina

Literacy Design Collaborative

4 of 4

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