Unit 4
Scenario:
You are visiting Joplin Missouri May 22, 2011. While you are there disaster strikes and you
experience a devastating tornado as it rips through the city. The experience was so
powerful the mayor of Joplin has asked you to write a blog (or journal) to share your
experiences and the experiences of others. You hope in doing this, people who were
affected by the tornado have a chance to share with others.
RL.4.6 Craft and Structure: Compare and contrast the point of view from which different
stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.
Task 1 (compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated)
Read the I survived the Joplin tornado book (third person) and compare and contrast it
(venn diagram) to an article written by someone (first person) who went through the tornado
and write about it in your blog or journal.
Score Response
Neatness/Creativity
Spelling/Grammar
3
The response in blog or
journal has met all the
criteria.
All items are
written neatly.
No more than 1 spelling or
grammar error.
2
The response in blog or
journal has met most of the
criteria.
Most items are written
neatly.
No more than 2 spelling or
grammar errors.
1
The response in blog or
journal has met some of
the criteria.
Some items are written
neatly.
No more than 3 spelling or
grammar errors.
RI.4.6 Craft and Structure: Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of
the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.
Task 2 (compare and contrast first hand and second hand account of the same topic or
event)
Write about the worst storm you've ever experienced and compare it to reading a news
article of the Joplin event.
Score Response
Neatness/Creativity
Spelling/Grammar
3
The response meets all the
criteria (writing about the worst
storm they’ve experienced using
comparison details and
contrasting details.
All items are written
neatly.
No more than 1
spelling or grammar
error.
2
The response meets most of the
criteria (writing about the worst
storm they’ve experienced using
comparison details and
contrasting details.
Most items are
written neatly.
No more than 2
spelling or grammar
errors.
1
The response meets some of the
criteria (writing about the worst
storm they’ve experienced using
comparison details and
contrasting details.
Some items are
written neatly.
No more than 3
spelling or grammar
errors.
W.4.9 Research to Build and Present Knowledge: Draw evidence from literary or
informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Task 3 (Research to build and present knowledge: Draw evidence from literary or
informational text to support analysis, reflection and research)
Using informational and literary texts students will write a reflection piece on the Joplin
tornado.
Score Response
Neatness/Creativity
Spelling/Grammar
3
Response meets all criteria which
includes a reflection piece that
includes no less than 3
paragraphs including details about
the physical damage, emotional
damage, and personal
experiences.
All items are written
neatly/creatively.
No more than 1
spelling or grammar
error.
2
Response meets most of the
criteria which includes a reflection
piece that includes no less than 3
paragraphs including details about
the physical damage, emotional
damage, and personal
experiences.
Most items are
written
neatly/creatively.
No more than 2
spelling or grammar
errors.
1
Response meets some of the
criteria which includes a reflection
piece that includes no less than 3
paragraphs including details about
the physical damage, emotional
damage, and personal
experiences.
Some items are
written
neatly/creatively.
No more than 3
spelling or grammar
errors.