RACE

1. RACE Short Answer Formula

2. R A C E ecycleprompt ssert your opinion Your ite proof using text evidence

3. Single Selection

4. R = Prompt • http://oswaltenglish.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/6/2/20625000/2014_staar_eng_ii_single_short_answer.pdfArticle PDF: Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word? • PROMPT:In “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word?,” how does the author feel about criticism? Support your answer with evidence from the selection. • The author in “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word?” thinks that criticism…

5. A = Your The author in “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word” thinks that criticism can be used constructively if used correctly.

6. C D = Proof • After the assertion, you must cite a direct quote from the selection showing proof/validity. • You MUST put quotation marks around your cite because you are borrowing someone else’s words (intellectual property).

7. C D = Proof • The author in “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word” thinks that criticism can be used constructively if used correctly. • The author says “ the best critics don’t just spew their opinions, they help you form and deepen yours.” This shows that critics who do their job correctly can have a positive effect on someone’s opinion and make them feel “confident.”

8. E = • Take your response and draw a validconclusion showing deeper meaning. • See a bigger picture. Sometimes you can connect your response to something outside of the reading selection • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks, Mahatma Gandhi, Adolf Hitler are standard fallbacks you might incorporate in your big picture. Think history, movies, family, etc. as fallback connections.

9. E = • Do NOT introduce any new information in your extension statement. Otherwise, you have to intro more evidence. • Avoid making your extension more than one sentence! • Keep it simple! Stay on topic! Draw a valid conclusion. • You can connect to ANYTHING – that is the entire point of the short-answer response.

10. E = • The author in “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word” thinks that criticism can be used constructively if used correctly. The author says “ the best critics don’t just spew their opinions, they help you form and deepen yours.” He asserts that critics who do their job correctly can have a positive effect on someone’s opinion and make them feel “confident.” • His use of the word “confident” signifies a positive connotation and emphasizes the effect proper criticism can have.

11. The author in “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word” thinks that criticism can be used constructively if used correctly. The author says “ the best critics don’t just spew their opinions, they help you form and deepen yours.” He asserts that critics who do their job correctly can have a positive effect on someone’s opinion and make them feel “confident.” His use of the word “confident” signifies a positive connotation and emphasizes the effect proper criticism can have. Score = 3 (Holla!) The student presents the perceptive idea that the author feels criticism can have a positive effect and can make a person confident as long as it is used constructively. The student shows an awareness of the complexities of the text by recognizing that the author uses the positive connotation of the word “confident” to emphasize the positive effect of “criticism.” The student uses well-chosen quotations to strongly support the validity of the idea. This response indicates that the student’s reading performance is accomplished.

12. The author believes criticism can be quite harsh and that everyone believes its bad. But the author also states that criticism is kinda the same as a review and a lot of people don’t know that. The author says that criticism needs to be constructive and have evidence to back it up. Like when he was talking about parents criticizing their teens messy rooms. “Notice in this scenario that the parent is supporting her opinion with concrete evidence.” Score = 2 The student presents the reasonable idea that the author believes many people who view criticism negatively overlook the fact that it can function as a review. The student offers an analysis of this idea and supports this analysis with clearly linked text. Although the analysis is stronger than the text evidence, the combination of the two shows that the student has a good understandingof the selection.

13. The author of “Is Criticism A Four-Letter Word?” feels that when someone is criticizing a piece of literature or a movie, they should look at the elements of the story, and really review it. In “Criticism” he says, “suppose you are to write a critical evaluation of a book. Don’t just trash it. You should take a look at what works and what doesn’t.” The author says this to make sure you understand the criticism is not just an opinion, but a well thought out review of the story. Score = 2 The student offers the reasonable idea that criticism is not only an opinion but also a well thought-out review of a book or movie. The direct quotation provided is clearly linked to the idea and shows that the student can draw a valid conclusion. This response represents a satisfactory reading performance. Also

14. In “Is Criticism a Four-Letter Word?” the author feels criticism is something good because he says, “criticism isn’t just an attack; it’s a defense” and “critical, because it makes sense.” To the author, criticism is something really important and part of life because she says “Because if you write your opinion and support them with good logical thinking – you’ll be something that I wish I was as a teen.” Score = 1 The student offers the general idea that the author feels criticism is good because it is a really important part of life. Although textual evidence is provided as support, the idea needs more explanation or specificity. Therefore, this response is only partially sufficient. missing extended connection

15. The author doesn’t like the word criticism, much rather review or evaluation. In paragraph 20, the author makes a point about supporting an opinion with evidence. The author feels you should benefit from criticism, not put down as his brothers did him. Also you have to be open-minded and take in criticism in order to be more confident as he said in paragraph 29. So overall, the author believes that criticism is a good thing if you are pointing out flaws to help others and not bring them down while providing evidence of your opinion. Score = 1 The student offers the reasonable idea that the author prefers the words “review” or “evaluation” over “criticism” because criticism should be beneficial. Although the student attempts to support this idea with evidence from the text, theevidence is flawed. The student provides only general text references rather than specific textual support. For this reason, the student’s reading performance is considered basic. Way too much opinion with no direct evidence (ironic), which then forfeits any chance of an extended connection.

16. The author feels very strongly about criticism. He feels that criticism should be given all the time because, it makes people better at what they do or trying to do. Score = 0 The student presents an idea that is too vague to determine whether it is reasonable. The idea that criticism should be given all the time is not specific enough to be considered a valid answer to the question asked.

17. Selections PAIRED

18. How are they similar? • How are they different? Have you ever wondered about starch vs. sugar, or, to put it another way, pasta vs. dessert? Why are both are considered carbohydrates when they seem so different? http://diabetes.sanofi.us/starch-sugar/

19. R = Prompt • http://oswaltenglish.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/6/2/20625000/2014_staar_eng_ii_paired_short_answer.pdf • PROMPT:Do you think Jaime Teevan in “2009 Young Innovators Under 35: Jaime Teevan, 32” and Barry Bingham, Jr., in “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” have anything in common? Explain your answer and support it with evidence from both selections. • Jaime Teeven in “2009 Young Innovators Under 35” and Barry Bingham Jr. of “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” share…

20. A = Your Jaime Teeven in “2009 Young Innovators Under 35” and Barry Bingham Jr. of “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” share in both being visionary to evolving, personalized technology.

21. C D = Proof Jaime Teeven in “2009 Young Innovators Under 35” and Barry Bingham Jr. of “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” share in both being visionary to evolving, personalized technology.“Out of the Petri dish of the 1970s” [this] “Datsun-driving, environmentalist dad hatched his vision of what he called the ‘electronic newspaper’”because he “believed (two decades before the internet existed) that the future of news lay in allowing readers to decide what was most important to them” A college internship in the 1990s led Teeven to “‘single-handedly’” create the concept of “personal information management [that] is such an internet buzzword” today. Since 2006 she has “developed a number of experimental browser plug-ins that work to refine search results for each user.”

22. E = Hmmm…Teeven and Bingham make me think of Apple and Facebook Generational connection?

23. E = Does the math work? NO!!!!!! (Grrr!) Think brain. 2009 year • 32 age 1977 born “Died in 2006 at age 72” means he was born 1934

24. E = I read Steve Jobs book and saw The Social Network movie... my generational cohort idea won’t work. Think!

25. E = Jaime Teevan in “2009 Young Innovators Under 35…” and Barry Bingham Jr. of “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” share in both being visionary to evolving, personalized technology. “Out of the Petri dish of the 1970s” [this] “Datsun-driving, environmentalist dad hatched his vision of what he called the ‘electronic newspaper’” because he “believed (two decades before the internet) that the future of news lay in allowing readers to decide what was most important to them.” A college internship in the 1990s led Teeven to “‘single-handedly’” create the concept of “personal information management [that] is such an internet buzzword” today. Since 2006 she has “developed a number of experimental browser plug-ins that work to refine search results for each user.” Jamie Teevan and Barry Bingham may not have the iconic clout of say Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Apple’s Steve Jobs –– but they can be considered visionary innovators who have left their mark on the world. 153 words Will this fit on 10 lines?

26. Jaime Teevan and Barry Bingham Jr. are visionaries for evolving, personalized technology. “Out of the Petri dish of the 1970s” [this] “Datsun-driving, environmentalist dad hatched his vision of what he called the ‘electronic newspaper’” because he “believed (two decades before the internet) that the future of news lay in allowing readers to decide what was most important to them.” A college internship in the 1990s led Teeven to “‘single-handedly’” create the concept of “personal information management [that] is such an internet buzzword” today. Since 2006 she has “developed a number of experimental browser plug-ins that work to refine search results for each user.” Bingham and Teevan may not have the pop culture clout of Apple’s Steve Jobs and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, but they are technological contributors. How would this response score according to the Rubric? 138 words

27. Yes, I believe that Barry and Jamie have things in common. In “2009 Young Innovators Under 35: Jamie Teevan, 32” she had a vision for change. “One of Teevan’s key ideas is that search engines can employ information about users to help them zero in on the results they need.” In this passage Teevan tries to find new ways so that the internet can not only make things faster to find but making your life that much easier. Barry also tried to do this. In “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs,” Barry tried to modernize his work office also to keep up with the world. “In 1973 he began replacing typewriters with word processors.” [Also] “under his management the newspaper was under the vanguard of technological change. “Even back then in the 1970s Barry realized that the world was changing and you have to keep up. (Top Answer of 2013!) In this exemplary response, the student presents perceptive idea that Teevan and Bingham Jr., were visionaries who enacted change in the world. Well-chosen direct quotation from each selection support the validity of the idea in this accomplished reading performance. 3 145 words

28. A common characteristic between Teevan and Barry Jr. is their ambition in the work field. A quote from “2009 Young Innovators Under 35: Jaime Teevan, 32” states “She literally almost single handedly created this whole area” reffering to Teevan. This is an example of a ‘go getter’ attitude she possesses. Furthermore, in the passage. “Digital Dad Versus the Dinosaurs” it explains “My Datsun-driving environmentalist dad hatched his vision of what he called the “electronic newspaper” which proves his ambition in the newspaper industry by finding new ways to produce news. In both passages these people share the ambition to achieve in different goals in the work feild. This old 3 might be a 2+ in 2015! 106 words In this exemplary response, the student presents the idea that both Jaime Teeven and Barry Bingham Jr., possesses ambition, which helps them become innovators in their respective field. Further analysis clarifies the idea and shows that the student can make discerning connections across the reading selections, Overall, the textual evidence provided strongly supports the validity of the idea.

29. 2s? Maybe in 2013, but today these would be 1s! 42 & 56 words Yes, I think Jaime Teevan and Barry Bingham Jr. both understand the importance of upcoming technology. Jaime Teeven, “…started building tools that sort Internet search results…”. Barry Bingham “…anticipated the coming era of electronic news, and he was genuinely excited about it.” MISSING EXTENDED CONNECTION – This is a partial response. Both Jaime Teevan and Barry Bingham Jr. saw new ways of improving their fields. Teevan for example “came up with some ideas for judging link quality and helping people navigate the company’s search engine.” “Datsun-driving environmentalist [Bingham] hatched his vision of what he called the “‘electronic newspaper.’” They both sought new ways of improving their fields. WEAK EXTENDED CONNECTION – just a rehash of the assertion. Doesn’t elaborate on why they might have “sought new ways of improving their fields. “Yes” presents a reasonable idea that both understood the importance of upcoming technology. The student uses a direct quotation from each selection to support the idea making this a sufficient response – if you could time travel back to the year 2013 or earlier. Today’s standards would put this at a 1, pure and simple. “Both” offers the reasonable idea that Teevan and Bingham saw ways of improving their respective. Direct quotations from this selection support this idea and indicate a good understanding of the text. Therefore, this response represents a satisfactory performance. Agree that it’s better than “Yes” but “E” is lame. Brackets and triple quote punctuation do up the pretty factor. STAAR might give it a 2; Oswalt would rate it 1+.

30. http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/staar/writing/ Visit this link and learn more! Or you can just Google “STAAR Student Writing Samples”