Coordinators’ Meeting 1
Preparatory Committee
2014-2015
Points to be mentioned in the first coordinators ‘
meeting:
• Enrichment phase (cover the exercises in the
book).
• Writing planners in the workbook+ space in the
writing workbook.
• Don’t totally depend on the interactive CD. Be
creative.
• The curriculum standard vocabulary is marked
by a star.
• Teacher’s guide include tips for teaching some
repeated/ongoing standards (by the end of the
teacher’s guide).
Qatar Schools Writers
Competition 2014-2015
O Our Theme for this year 2014-2015:
Qatar Vision for 2030 aims at creating a balanced,
sustainable and prosperous society based on four
pillars. Our competition will focus on two of these pillarsHuman Resources and Social
Development.
Who??
O All independent Schools are to participate in this
competition. However, this year it is specified for
certain grades.
Primary Stage: Grade 5
Preparatory Stage: Grade 9
Secondary Stage: Grade 10
Topics
Junior Category (Grade 5):
O Topic One:
O Theme: Family Traditions:
O ‘Qatar is developing fast and family traditions
are changing with modernization.’
Express your ideas or feelings about this
statement through a short essay , a short story or
poem.
Junior Category (Grade 5):
Topic Two:
O Theme: Education
O Education is the single most important
factor in the development of a country. Do
you agree? Consider other factors such as
moral values.
Express your ideas in an essay , short story or
poem.
Senior Category (Grades 9 and 10):
O Topic One:
O Theme: Charity
O “Many people volunteer their time to help others,
either in non-profit organizations, the mosque or
other charitable organizations.”
Write an essay , short story or poem to convince the
reader to find a charity or cause and volunteer their
time.
Senior Category (Grades 9 and 10):
O Topic Two:
O Theme: Education
O “Qatar aims to build a modern world-class
educational system that provides students with a
first-rate education…’ (Qatar 2030 vision
document).
How has Qatar succeeded in developing ‘a modern
world-class educational system’ so far in your view?
If you were asked to assist in achieving this goal, what
would your recommendations be? Express your ideas
in an essay , short story or poem.
Conditions
• Contestants have to choose only one topic to
write about.
• The best two writings should be submitted from
each school and sent to the American
Embassy.
Conditions
• Submissions will be checked and scored by
the embassy.
• The paper submitted could be poem, a
short story or an essay. This is up to the
contestant.
Important Dates
Dates of
Workshops
• 21st of October –
Primary schools
• 23rd of October –
Prep and
Secondary
Schools.
Dates of reception
Date of
announcing
results:
• 22nd /23rd of February 2015 – • March 2015
Best Writings to be sent to the
following email:
• qatarschoolswriting@gmail
.com
Criteria
Rubric for Essays
Criteria
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Poor
Topic and Details
The essay answers the question asked, and is
focused on the topic at hand. The author
addresses other points of view besides his/her
own argument. Details and facts supporting the
argument are provided accurately and clearly. (20
points)
The essay answers the question and focuses on
the topic. Main ideas are clear, but are not well
supported by details and facts, or facts are
inaccurate or unclear. (15 points)
The essay attempts to answer the question, but
main ideas and arguments are unclear. No
details or supporting facts are provided. (10
points)
The essay fails to address the question,
and main ideas and arguments are
unclear and unsupported. (0 points)
Organization
The introduction is clear and inviting, and provides
a clear overview of the rest of the essay. The
argument and details are relevant, and follow in a
logical order. Effective transitions are used
between ideas. The conclusion is clear and
strong. (20 points)
The essay includes an introduction and
conclusion, and the introduction states the main
idea of the essay and gives an overview of the
information to follow. The information is provided
in a structured format. (15 points)
The essay includes an introduction and
conclusion. The introduction states the main
topic. (10 points)
There is no clear introduction, structure,
or conclusion. (0 points)
Originality
The essay is completely original, and all sources
for facts, quotes, or paraphrasing are cited. (20
points)
The essay is original, and quotes or paraphrasing
from sources are cited. Facts are not cited. (15
points)
The essay is mostly original, but includes some
paraphrasing from outside sources. (10 points)
The essay includes direct quotes from
other sources that are not cited and are
passed off as the author’s own writing. (0
points)
Style
Word choice and voice convey the author’s
argument clearly, fit the topic at hand, and are
appropriate for the audience. (20 points)
Word choice and phrasing are generally
appropriate for the topic and audience, but
occasionally lack specificity or convey a slightly
different meaning than was intended. (15 points)
Wording is sometimes vague, unclear, or
incorrect. Sentence and paragraph structure
may be too complicated or wordy, or include
run-ons and confusing structures. (10 points)
Contains many awkward or confusing
sentences and misused words, and
employs inappropriate language for the
topic and audience. (5 points)
Grammar and
Spelling
Almost entirely free of spelling, grammar, or
punctuation errors. Formatting is pleasing to the
eye and easy to read. (20 points)
Contains some spelling, grammar, or punctuation
errors, but they do not detract from the meaning
of the sentence or impede understanding of the
reader. (15 points)
Contains many spelling, grammar, or
punctuation errors that sometimes block the
reader’s ability to understand the meaning of
the sentences. (10 points)
Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
are so frequent that the meaning is lost
and the reader is unable to follow the
thinking from sentence to sentence. (5
points)
Rubric for Creative Writing
Criteria
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Poor
Topic and Main Idea
The piece focuses on the topic at hand, and addresses the
question, whether directly or indirectly. The main idea or plot of
the piece is clear, and conveys some kind of message to the
reader that is relevant to the topic. (20 points)
The piece focuses on the topic at hand, and
attempts to address the question. The main idea or
plot is clear. (15 points)
The piece addresses the topic at hand, but does not focus on it,
and fails to answer the question. There is no clear main idea or
plot. (10 points)
The piece does not address the topic or
question at all. There is no clear main idea or
plot. (0 points)
Organization
The setting, characters, and plot are all clearly described and add
to the story. If a story, script or play, there is a clear beginning,
middle, and end, with a main character who faces a problem or
situation and then deals with it or fails to deal with it. If a poem,
there is a clear structure to the poem, and the ideas flow clearly
and coherently from one to another. (20 points)
The setting, characters, and plot are all described. If
a story or script or play, there is a clear beginning,
middle, and end. If a poem, there is a structure to
the poem, and the ideas mostly flow from one to
another. (15 points)
There is a structure to the piece, but it is not very clear. The
plotline or main idea of the piece gets lost at times. Setting and
characters are not well described. (10 points)
There is no clear structure to the piece at all.
The plot is unclear, and characters and setting
are not described. (0 points)
Originality
The piece is completely original, and the ideas, plot and characters
are creative and imaginative. (20 points)
The piece is original, and the plot and characters do
not duplicate any existing works. (15 points)
The piece is mostly original, but plot, characters, or ideas may
be borrowed from existing works. (10 points)
The piece includes direct quotes from other
works that are not cited and are passed off as
the author’s own writing. (0 points)
Style
Word choice and voice convey the main ideas and plot clearly, fit
the topic at hand and style of writing, and are appropriate for the
audience. Imagery and descriptions are vivid and well-used. (20
points)
Word choice and phrasing are generally appropriate
for the topic and audience, but occasionally lack
specificity or convey a slightly different meaning
than was intended. Descriptions are strong. (15
points)
Wording is sometimes vague, unclear, or incorrect. Sentence
and paragraph structure may be too complicated or wordy, or
include run-ons and confusing structures. Descriptions do not
well convey an image of the characters or scene, and imagery
is often used incorrectly. (10 points)
Contains many awkward or confusing
sentences and misused words, and employs
inappropriate language for the topic and
audience. Inadequate descriptions and no
imagery. (5 points)
Grammar and Spelling
Almost entirely free of spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.
Formatting is pleasing to the eye and easy to read. (20 points)
Contains some spelling, grammar, or punctuation
errors, but they do not detract from the meaning or
impede understanding of the reader. (15 points)
Contains many spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors that
sometimes block the reader’s ability to understand the
meaning of the sentences. (10 points)
Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors are
so frequent that the meaning is lost and the
reader is unable to follow the thinking from
sentence to sentence. (5 points)
Suggestion