Qualitative Evidence
Qualitative growth is another way students displayed dramatic academic growth in my class. I allowed my students to display this growth through writing. Helping students master opinion writing at an early age is vital as they navigate through middle school, high school and beyond. This skill can be applied outside of the classroom when convincing someone to agree with your opinion based on evidence. At the beginning of each quarter, I provide all students with a writing task and I assess that same standard at the end of the quarter. This method allows my students to display their growth in content as well as writing skill throughout the course of each quarter.
Table of Contents
1. Student Writing Samples: Beginning-of-Unit
2. Student Writing Samples: End-of-Unit
3. Conclusion
Student Writing Samples: Beginning-of-Unit
Below is the prompt for the first writing sample, which I assigned to students on the first day of the second unit. I created this assessment to not only assess previous knowledge on opinion writing but to assess their weaknesses and strength within the standard. I selected these assignments to demonstrate qualitative growth because they gave clear directions without a graphic organizer to see how my students would organize their thoughts. I chose these samples because these three students are vastly different academically however, they all displayed growth.
The directions were written to be general to gauge the needs of my students. The essay should have been organized according to the questions with details from the text. I used this assessment to word the directions to guide my students to mastery after this assignment. With this method, qualitative data results give me the information needed to understand how students received the information and communicate their opinion effectively.
Above is the writing prompt I provided for my students to guide them through their writing assignment at the start of the unit.
The student writing samples below were selected from both of my 3rd-grade classes. I these samples are based on learning needs; a student with an IEP, a student classified as general and the last student classified as gifted. Students completed this assignment prior to any instruction on the standard however they read the text needed to complete the writing.
Included within each sample is the rubric used to grade each sample. Since I created this assignment to rate my students' knowledge before to instruction, the rubrics were used as a guide to planning effectively for the next writing assignment.
Student #1 struggled at supporting his opinions with evidence from the text. It is evident in that Student #1 needs more organization in his essay and practice citing from the text to support his reason. To support growth, I will focus on providing small instruction on citing from the text for Student #1.
Student #2 did not support her opinions with evidence from the text which is vital. Student #2 needs to work on citing evidence from the text to support their opinion. I will place this student in a small group that focuses on citing evidence from the text to support opinions.
Student #3 gave many reasons without evidence that supports the reason. In addition, he only gave one reason when he was required to give two reasons. To support dramatic growth, I will place this student in a small group that is focused on citation. In addition, I will re-teach brain storming activities that support with developing logical reasons that support one's opinion.
Student Writing Samples: End-of-Unit
After six weeks of instruction, my students another opinion writing assignment after they read Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie. Since students forgot to cite from the text, I organized the prompt to help with organization.
Above is the writing prompt for this assignment.
This prompt was much more organized for my students so they can have dramatic growth. I allowed my students one hour to complete this essay using the articles and the text. I gave them 30 minutes of drafting however with six weeks of rigorous instruction, most students did not need to revise their essays.
Provided below, are the final writing samples along with their rubrics that are scored.
Beginning of Unit: 15/24
End of Unit: 15/18
Student #1 improved his organization by citing from the text to support his reason. In addition, this student needed to clarify his reasons in a clear and concise way where if anyone who reads it can comprehend his opinion. Moreover, this student displayed dramatic qualitative growth by improving their score on the rubric from zero to two points in the category of citing from the text from the beginning of the unit to the end.
Beginning of Unit: 20/24
End of Unit: 18/18
Student #2 exceeded expectations and scored a perfect score with great organization and sequence. This student also referred back to the articles to support their opinion which displays dramatic qualitative growth by improving their score on the rubric from zero to two points in the category of citing from the text from the beginning of the unit to the end. In addition, the student provided and circled transitional words that contribute to a proficient essay.
Beginning of Unit: 19/24
End of Unit: 18/18
Student #3 supported their opinion with reasons and evidence from the text which increased their score in the rubric. In addition, the student wrote an excellent conclusion statement that restated their opinion. Moreover, this student displayed tremendous dramatic qualitative growth by improving their score on the rubric from zero to two points in the category of citing from the text from the beginning of the unit to the end.
Conclusion
When evaluating these three students, it is clear that all grew over those six weeks of instruction. In addition, Student #2 and #3 are well prepared for the next grade which will require greater detail and elaboration. Student One, however, needs more support with grasping evidence from the text that supports how they feel on a topic and clarifying their opinion with reasons. By giving my students regular opportunities to sharpen their craft of writing, they will continue to display dramatic growth.