Georgia Writing Assessment
January 19, 2011
Essential Question: What do
parents need to know about the
8th grade writing test?
If you have specific questions about how you can help promote writing
at home, please email Mrs. Jablonski:
Mandee_Jablonski@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Details of the test
•All 8th grade students must pass.
•Session Length: 100 minutes
•Main Administration: One day
(January 19th, 2011)
•Make-up Administration: One day
(To Be Determined)
How is it graded?
Two raters will read every paper
and give it a score. Their
combined scores will determine
if a paper will pass or fail.
It Looks Like This
Scoring
Domain
Domain Weight
% of total
score
Ideas
2 x raters’ scores
40%
Organization
1 x raters’ scores
20%
Style
1 x raters’ scores
20%
Conventions
1 x raters’ scores
20%
Overview of Score Points 1-5
Five Levels of Competence
Score: 1
Score: 2
Score: 3
Score: 4
Score: 5
Lack of
Control
Minimal
Control
Sufficient
Control
Consistent
Control
Full
Command
(of the
elements of
the domain)
(of the
elements of
the domain)
(of the
elements of
the domain)
(of the
elements of
the domain)
(of the
elements of
the domain)
GREEN = The degree to which the
writer demonstrates control of the
components.
Rubrics
5
Ideas= 40%
•
•
•
•
•
•
Controlling idea- Thesis
Supporting Details
Coherency
Facts and Examples
Awareness of Genre
Completeness
Organization= 20%
• Logical and appropriate sequencing
and/or grouping of ideas in the paper
• Introduction/Body/Conclusion
• Expository/Persuasive Strategies used
• Introduction is engaging
• Conclusion provides a sense of closure
Style= 20%
Declarative
• Word choice
Exclamatory Imperative
• Figurative language
Interrogative
(similes, metaphors...)
• Varied sentence lengths
• Attention to audience
• Consistent voice
• Humor
Conventions= 20%
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Capitalization
Proofread!
Punctuation
Spelling
Indention of paragraphs
Subject/Verb Agreement
Formal Register
Errors do not interfere with meaning
How Can I Help My Child Succeed?
Make it Real
Suggest Note-taking Brainstorm
Journal
Write Together
Play Games
Make Lists
Copy from Media
Read More
Write Notes
Provide Materials
Resources
Be a Writer
Use the Library
Make it Fun
See the handout “Things to Do at Home to Encourage Writing” for details on
how these ideas can work for you!
Did You Know?
• Every 9 week grading period, every
Language Arts class assigns at least one
formal writing assignment.
• Students at Berkmar Middle School write in
every class.
• The Write It Down! Club meets on
Thursdays with Mrs. Moon in Mrs.
Jablonski’s room to write for fun, to enter
contests, to play word games, and to
improve writing.
Great Writing/Vocabulary
Websites
• Fact Monster Writing:
http://www.factmonster.com/homework/writingskills1.ht
ml
• Room 108 Kid’s Writing:
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/writing/Kids_Writin
g.html
• Free Rice (Vocabulary Game):
http://www.freerice.com/
• Teacher Vision Links:
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/reading-andlanguage-arts/games/5831.html
Making it Work for You
If you have specific questions about the 8th Grade Writing
Test, we have teachers here to answer your questions.
Please raise your hand and we will direct you to those
teachers at this time.
If you would like to experience some writing activities that
you can do with your child at home, please join us!
If you have specific questions about how you can help
promote writing at home, please email Mrs. Jablonski:
Mandee_Jablonski@gwinnett.k12.ga.us