Does anyone have examples of what a “4” expository essay for STAAR may look like? (7th grade)

[Misty Hummel]

I want to share with the kids.

[Melissa Dunbar]

Misty! I am right there with you in your search. I hope that someone replys, so we will both know. Melissa

[Gretchen Bernabei]

TEA hasn't released any yet, and rumor has it that there aren't going to be any released for a long, long, long time.  However, I'm putting onto the "handouts" section on the ning a 9th grade expository piece which would most likely score a 3+.  You'll see that it needs more depth and thoughtful detailing in order for it to be a four, but it's a pretty solid three.  It's 336 words, definitely fits onto a 26-line page.  It came from Pat Jacoby, a friend, who was conducting an expository pilot project with a school district in Texas.  

[Misty Hummel]

Thanks :)

[Susan Poteet]

TEA did release power points from the Texas Assessment Conference that include sample student essays.

Go to:  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/tac/ and look under the second bullet.  The power points include one sample of each type of essay at each grade level.  It is a start...

[Barry Lane]

I also posted some on the handout page above.

[Gretchen Bernabei]

And I posted an analysis of TEA's sample essay for grades 4, 7, and 11.  They're in the "Gretchen's Handouts" section.  The fourth grade piece is titled about a sister named Elizabeth.

[Kayla Briseno]

Thanks for posting all these resources!  I've been searching high and low for good stuff for expository--combing through all my Gretchen and Barry books too, of course!  By the way, Gretchen, I'm so excited to see our prezi (my husband Stephen and I--your friends in China!!) on your links page!  Such an honor!  Thanks for sharing your great ideas with all of us--you too Barry!!  You guys are my (our) heroes!

Take care!

--Kayla Briseno

[Misty Hummel]

thank you

thank you

thank you