SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT #5: Rubric Link

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT #5: Rubric Link

BEFORE STARTING:  Click on the Rubric Link and review the requirements for this assessment.  You will be assessed on two standards, a Writing and a Speaking & Listening.  Remember that although a major component of this assessment is concise writing, you are still also expected to do the "usual," such as answering logically, including text evidence, and supporting an original claim.

COMMENTS ARE DUE by Midnight on Thursday (4/28).  After this time, all comments will be posted so that discussion can begin.  A minimum of TWO replies is required for the assessment, which must be completed by Midnight on Sunday (5/1).

If your comment is not posted prior to the cutoff, it will not be included in discussion and cannot be assessed for this value.

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The Price Tag of the American Dream 

This Week's Article Link

Original USA Today article link.

Step 1:  Visit the website listed above by clicking on the link.  
Briefly review the following sections:  
1. Essentials
2. Extras
3. Taxes/Savings

4. Total Income Needed

The original article is listed below the visual... briefly scan through that, as well.

After completing all this, respond to the following underlined question:

Does the American Dream have a price tag?  

If you believe that it does be sure to include the price in your response.  

If you believe it does not be sure to share what you think is necessary to achieve the American Dream. Include at least two pieces of evidence from the article or web site in your response comment. 

Helpful Hints:

DO NOT start out by saying "I think," "I believe," etc!!!  
DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.
BE SURE to EDIT before you submit!!  Just as we practiced in class, read over your work and look for wordiness and repetition.  Once submitted and added to the discussion, your comment is permanent and will be assessed.

Step 2:  Read and reply thoughtfully and politely to a minimum of TWO other student comments.  
To do this in an organized way, please hit REPLY under the comment you are replying to.  DO NOT start a new comment as a reply.  You can reply to other students' replies as well as original comments.

Helpful Hints:

MAKE SURE that you are doing more than just agreeing with someone else.
BE SPECIFIC in your response: refer directly to something the author wrote, ask a question, or introduce new supporting evidence.
EDIT your replies as you would your claim.  Replies will be measured for accuracy and conciseness in the same way as the comment.

The NEW College Application

Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success Web Link

Step 1:  Visit the website listed above by clicking on the link.  
Review the following sections:  
"Why the Coalition," 
"Member Schools," 
and "Students" (Click on HOW IT WORKS and watch the video, and then review the rest of the section).

After completing this, respond to BOTH of the following underlined questions:

Question 1
After reviewing the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success site, you should have a much clearer understanding of how this system is meant to work.  What are your impressions of the plan?  Be sure to include evidence from the WEB SITE in your response comment.

Please note: This question is NOT asking you to decide whether changes to the entire system should be made (or not made).  The NEXT question will ask you to do this.  This question is asking you to take a look at the information presented by the Coalition and evaluate their plan for change.


Question 2
The Time Magazine article presents multiple perspectives regarding the advantages and disadvantages of changing the entire college-admission process. Consider where you stand on the topic; Do you believe that changing the system will allow more citizens to achieve the American Dream?  Use at least TWO pieces of textual evidence (from the article) in your comment.

Helpful hints:

DO NOT start out by saying "I think," "I believe," etc!!!  

DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.

Step 2:  Read and reply thoughtfully and politely to a minimum of THREE other student comments.  
To do this in an organized way, please hit REPLY under the comment you are replying to.  DO NOT start a new comment as a reply.  You can reply to other students' replies as well as original comments.

George Raveling and MLK's Speech

Article Link
Video Link
George Raveling Website Link

Step 1:  Respond to BOTH of the following underlined questions using concise, clear, and complete sentences.  You can post both answers in a single comment post, just be sure to clearly label which is #1 and #2.

Question 1
According to the article, George Raveling ¨... would like the speech to be on public display someday.¨ What do you believe should happen to the speech?  Be sure to use evidence from either the text or the video to defend your claim.

Question 2
George Raveling has lived quite a life, but has he fulfilled the American Dream?  Consider how you are starting to define this term yourself, and then make a claim in response to the question.  Use at least TWO pieces of textual evidence in your comment.

Helpful hints:

DO NOT start out by saying "I think," "I believe," etc!!!  

DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.

Step 2:  Read and reply thoughtfully and politely to a minimum of THREE other student comments.  
To do this in an organized way, please hit REPLY under the comment you are replying to.  DO NOT start a new comment as a reply.  You can reply to other students' replies as well as original comments.

MLK: The story behind "I have a dream."

Article Link

Step 1:  Respond to the following underlined question using concise, clear, and complete sentences.  

According to a 1999 UW-Madison and Texas A&M survey, the I have a dream speech is "the greatest speech of the 20th century."  Given the background story shared by Gary Younge, what is your reaction to this declaration?  Be sure to use textual evidence in your comment.

Consider as you plan your response:

• According to his aides, King did not have an "I have a dream" section in his original speech draft.
• "King went to sleep about 4am."
• King continued to edit his speech even after he had received the "final" typed version.
• It was a sunny 87 degrees at noon in Washington on this day.
• King was the 16th item on the day's program.
• An estimated 250,000 were in attendance.
• The speech was broadcast on all three major television networks.
• King urged by his most trusted adviser, "Don't use the lines about 'I have a dream.'"

Helpful hints:

DO NOT start out by saying "I think," "I believe," etc!!!  

DO make a claim in answer to the question, and then defend it with a mix of your opinion and text evidence.

You could begin like this:  Given the background story shared by Gary Younge, the declaration of King's
"I have a dream" speech as "the greatest speech of the 20th century is ___________________________.  

Step 2:  Read and reply thoughtfully and politely to a minimum of TWO other student comments.  
To do this in an organized way, please hit REPLY under the comment you are replying to.  DO NOT start a new comment as a reply.  You can add to other student replies, as well, if someone has already done so.