Writing samples for telpas

In this assignment, students practice extended writing about a language arts topic, developing authentic writing samples as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The TELPAS guidelines require students to produce expository or extended writing from language arts classes. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment.

For their extended writing, students read the nonfiction article "Jungle Life." The article explains why tropical rain forests are important, as well as why they are in danger. Students use their imaginations and details from the article to write a Short Story about an adventure in the jungle. This assignment gives students practice writing extended pieces in the Narrative genre.

The article is available in English and in Spanish. The English text has a Lexile Level of 580.

SKILLS (8): Elaborate (Narr), Use Correct Grammar, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation

Skills in this Assignment

• Elaborate (Narr)
• Consider Quality of Ideas
• Organize
• Use Transitions
• Consider Language and Word Choice
  • Vary Sentence Structure
  • Use Correct Grammar

  Standards in this Assignment

  • W.5.3.d
  • W.5.3.c
  • W.5.3.a
  • W.5.5
  • W.5.3.b
  Copy Assignment Preview as Student Descriptive Writing: Write a Sensory Description

  Descriptive Writing: Write a Sensory Description

  In this assignment, students write a Sensory Description about a familiar topic--a person, a place, or an event. Depending on the prompt selected, students may write in the past tense. These assignments help develop authentic writing samples as specified by the TELPAS guidelines. The TELPAS guidelines require students to produce a descriptive piece of writing about a familiar topic, an extended piece of writing from a language arts class, and writing that elicits use of past tense. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment.

  SKILLS (8): Elaborate (Narr), Use Correct Grammar, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation

  STANDARDS: W.5.3.d, W.5.3.c, W.5.3.a, W.5.5, W.5.3.b FORMAT: Essay

  Skills in this Assignment

  • Elaborate (Narr)
  • Consider Quality of Ideas
  • Organize
  • Use Transitions
  • Consider Language and Word Choice
    • Vary Sentence Structure
    • Use Correct Grammar

    Standards in this Assignment

    • W.5.3.d
    • W.5.3.c
    • W.5.3.a
    • W.5.5
    • W.5.3.b
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    Collection 3A: TELPAS Writing About a Past Event

    This collection includes writing assignments for TELPAS Grades 2-5 focused on narrative writing about a past event. These assignments are featured in other Narrative collections and specifically require students to write using past tense verbs. Writing performance is assessed using TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors for Writing in Grades 2-12.

    Extended Writing Using Past Tense: Write a True Story

    Extended Writing Using Past Tense: Write a True Story

    In this assignment, students write a True Story in response to a prompt, developing authentic writing samples as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The TELPAS guidelines require students to produce an extended piece of writing from language arts classes, develop descriptive writing about a familiar topic, and create writing that elicits use of the past tense. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment.

    SKILLS (8): Elaborate (Narr), Use Correct Grammar, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation

    STANDARDS: W.3-5.6, W.5.3.d, W.5.3.c, W.5.3.a, W.5.5, W.3-5.4, W.5.3.b, W.3-5.10, W.3-5.3 FORMAT: Short Response

    Skills in this Assignment

    • Elaborate (Narr)
    • Consider Quality of Ideas
    • Organize
    • Use Transitions
    • Consider Language and Word Choice
      • Vary Sentence Structure
      • Use Correct Grammar

      Standards in this Assignment

      • W.3-5.6
      • W.5.3.d
      • W.5.3.c
      • W.5.3.a
      • W.5.5
      • W.3-5.4
      • W.5.3.b
      • W.3-5.10
      • W.3-5.3
      Copy Assignment Preview as Student Descriptive Writing: Write a Sensory Description

      Descriptive Writing: Write a Sensory Description

      In this assignment, students write a Sensory Description about a familiar topic--a person, a place, or an event. Depending on the prompt selected, students may write in the past tense. These assignments help develop authentic writing samples as specified by the TELPAS guidelines. The TELPAS guidelines require students to produce a descriptive piece of writing about a familiar topic, an extended piece of writing from a language arts class, and writing that elicits use of past tense. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment.

      SKILLS (8): Elaborate (Narr), Use Correct Grammar, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation

      STANDARDS: W.5.3.d, W.5.3.c, W.5.3.a, W.5.5, W.5.3.b FORMAT: Essay

      Skills in this Assignment

      • Elaborate (Narr)
      • Consider Quality of Ideas
      • Organize
      • Use Transitions
      • Consider Language and Word Choice
        • Vary Sentence Structure
        • Use Correct Grammar

        Standards in this Assignment

        • W.5.3.d
        • W.5.3.c
        • W.5.3.a
        • W.5.5
        • W.5.3.b
        Copy Assignment Preview as Student

        Collection 1B: TELPAS Expository Writing from Science, Math, and Social Studies

        This collection includes writing assignments for TELPAS Grades 2-5 focused on expository writing on science and social studies topics. Students write on content-area topics in response to informational sources. Writing performance is assessed using TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors for Writing in Grades 2-12.

        Informational Writing on Social Studies: Sacajawea

        Informational Writing on Social Studies: Sacajawea

        In this assignment, students practice informational writing about a social studies topic, developing authentic writing as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment. Students watch a four-minute video about Sacajawea. They consider the information, identifying main idea and supporting details. Then students write a Short Biography, using details from the video to support their writing. Students demonstrate understanding of a Social Studies topic as they learn who Sacajawea was, and how she helped explore the American frontier. [Note: This video contains a brief mention of Sacajawea being married to a man at the age of 11.] Duration: 45–60 minutes

        SKILLS (9): Use Correct Grammar, Stay on Topic, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation, Elaborate (Info)

        STANDARDS: W.4.2.c, W.4.4, W.4.5, W.4.2.a, W.4.2.d, W.4.2.b FORMAT: Short Response

        Skills in this Assignment

        • Stay on Topic
        • Consider Quality of Ideas
        • Organize
        • Use Transitions
        • Consider Language and Word Choice
          • Vary Sentence Structure
          • Use Correct Grammar

          Standards in this Assignment

          • W.4.2.c
          • W.4.4
          • W.4.5
          • W.4.2.a
          • W.4.2.d
          • W.4.2.b
          Copy Assignment Preview as Student Informational Writing on Social Studies: Abraham Lincoln

          Informational Writing on Social Studies: Abraham Lincoln

          In this assignment, students practice informational writing about a Social Studies topic, developing authentic writing as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The TELPAS guidelines require students to produce a procedural or expository piece of writing in the Social Studies, Science, or Math content areas. The rubrics also require a piece of writing using past tense. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment. Students watch a four-minute video about Abraham Lincoln. They consider the information from the video, identifying the video's major themes. Then students write a Short Biography. Students use details from the video to support their writing. Students demonstrate understanding of a Social Studies topic as they learn about who Abraham Lincoln was and how he led the country through the Civil War. Duration: 45–60 minutes

          SKILLS (9): Use Correct Grammar, Stay on Topic, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation, Elaborate (Info)

          STANDARDS: W.4.4, W.4.2.c, W.4.5, W.4.2.a, W.4.2.d, W.4.2.b FORMAT: Short Response

          Skills in this Assignment

          • Stay on Topic
          • Consider Quality of Ideas
          • Organize
          • Use Transitions
          • Consider Language and Word Choice
            • Vary Sentence Structure
            • Use Correct Grammar

            Standards in this Assignment

            • W.4.4
            • W.4.2.c
            • W.4.5
            • W.4.2.a
            • W.4.2.d
            • W.4.2.b
            Copy Assignment Preview as Student Informational Writing on Science: Sea Stars

            Informational Writing on Science: Sea Stars

            In this assignment, students practice informational writing about a science topic, developing authentic writing samples as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment. Students read a nonfiction book, "Sea Star," by Buffy Silverman, and write a report about what they learned. Students follow the prompt and begin by describing an interesting fact about sea stars to engage readers. Then students write several paragraphs, each describing different information about sea stars. Students support each topic with interesting details and information from their reading. Use this assignment to have students practice, and to assess, expository writing based on a science topic. This text has a Lexile level of 590.

            SKILLS (9): Use Correct Grammar, Stay on Topic, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation, Elaborate (Info)

            STANDARDS: W.4.4, W.4.2.c, W.4.5, W.4.2.a, W.4.2.d, W.4.2.b FORMAT: Essay

            Skills in this Assignment

            • Stay on Topic
            • Consider Quality of Ideas
            • Organize
            • Use Transitions
            • Consider Language and Word Choice
              • Vary Sentence Structure
              • Use Correct Grammar

              Standards in this Assignment

              • W.4.4
              • W.4.2.c
              • W.4.5
              • W.4.2.a
              • W.4.2.d
              • W.4.2.b
              Request Access Informational Writing on Science: What’s a Germ?

              Informational Writing on Science: What’s a Germ?

              In this assignment, students practice informational writing about a science topic, developing authentic writing samples as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment. Students read the article by Amy Tao, "What's a Germ?," and write an expository text based on a science topic. Students follow the prompt and write about different aspect of germs. They divide their writing into paragraphs, each paragraph beginning with a topic sentence and followed by facts and information from the reading. Students use content-vocabulary from the text to help readers understand the topic. Use this assignment to have students practice, and to assess expository writing based on a science topic, while practicing skills such as analyzing a text for information, organizing nonfiction writing into paragraphs of related ideas, and using specialized vocabulary. This text has a Lexile Level of 630.

              SKILLS (9): Use Correct Grammar, Stay on Topic, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation, Elaborate (Info)

              STANDARDS: W.4.4, W.4.2.c, W.4.5, W.4.2.a, W.4.2.d, W.4.2.b FORMAT: Essay

              Skills in this Assignment

              • Stay on Topic
              • Consider Quality of Ideas
              • Organize
              • Use Transitions
              • Consider Language and Word Choice
                • Vary Sentence Structure
                • Use Correct Grammar

                Standards in this Assignment

                • W.4.4
                • W.4.2.c
                • W.4.5
                • W.4.2.a
                • W.4.2.d
                • W.4.2.b
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                Collection 2B: TELPAS Writing About a Familiar Process

                This collection includes writing assignments for TELPAS Grades 2-5 focused on writing about a familiar process. One assignment includes multiple prompts and offers a How-To Essay template. Writing performance is assessed using TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors for Writing in Grades 2-12.

                Process Writing: Mixed-Up Recipe

                Process Writing: Mixed-Up Recipe

                In this assignment, students practice writing about a familiar process, developing authentic writing as indicated in the TELPAS guidelines. The TELPAS guidelines require students to write about a familiar process or develop procedural writing from a science, social studies or math topic. The rubrics are from the Grades 2-12 Proficiency Level Descriptors from the TELPAS assessment. Students read the nonfiction article, "Accidentally Delicious," by Marcia Amidon Lusted and write about a process by developing a Mixed-Up Recipe inspired by the article. Students develop a step-by-step recipe, describing the treats they want to create. Practicing skills such using a text as a model, writing about a familiar process, and organizing information into sequential steps will prepare students for process writing in the Information genre. This text has a Lexile Level of 970.

                SKILLS (9): Use Correct Grammar, Stay on Topic, Vary Sentence Structure, Consider Quality of Ideas , Organize, Use Transitions, Consider Language and Word Choice, Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation, Elaborate (Info)

                STANDARDS: W.5.2.c, W.5.2.a, W.5.2.b, W.5.5, W.5.4, W.5.2.d FORMAT: Essay

                Skills in this Assignment

                • Stay on Topic
                • Consider Quality of Ideas
                • Organize
                • Use Transitions
                • Consider Language and Word Choice
                  • Vary Sentence Structure
                  • Use Correct Grammar

                  Standards in this Assignment

                  • W.5.2.c
                  • W.5.2.a
                  • W.5.2.b
                  • W.5.5
                  • W.5.4
                  • W.5.2.d