Kevin's Writing

One of my students wanted to share some of his writing with us. We used Snag-it! to highlight it so that the writing is easier to read. More writing will be forthcoming. He took the png using the iPevo.

Expository It Is!

The state of Texas has decided that our students will write an expository composition the 4th and 7th grade writing tests.  In the past, the writing samples that were required were one expository and a personal narrative given two consecutive days. Just yesterday the test schematics were released. The writing test will take place on one day. There will be twelve multiple choice questions that are categorized as being editing type questions and six coming from the revision realm. I am not sure how all of this will be weighted. I know that of the multiple choice portion, 66% of those items are editing questions and 34% are revision questions. That was the pattern of all STAAR testing cycles. I wonder if the composition will be scored on the adjacent model of 0-8 and then just multiplied by two to keep it consistent with the way it was previously. In the past, the expository and personal narrative were each scored and then combined. The maximum score for both compositions would be 16 points out of 44 possible raw score points (these include 28 multiple choice questions.). That is why they could possibly multiply the expository composition on a scale of 0-8 and then multiply the score by two. This would be the same method of determining the raw score as in previous years. If that is the case, then the composition would weighted at 36% of the test. the multiple choice questions would be weighted at 64%. We will see as we wait for more information by the Texas Education Agency. It will be interesting.  To get the current documents, go to the link below and download. You can also go directly to the TEA website to download.



4th Grade Writing Documents from TEA

Mac Daddy Lyrics

The lyrics below could be used as writing trigger to go along with the study of lyrical poetry.  It could also be a trigger for expository or persuasive writing.  What would you like, if you could have anything?  A Mac Book Pro wouldn't be a bad idea.  I would just like more time to blog!

Mac Daddy (Tru's Reality) Lyrics Trimmed

Mac Daddy (Tru's Reality) Lyrics

By Toby Mac

"Dad, uh when we gonna order this mac?"

"You got the cash?"

"I'm close."

"That's what I thought."

I want a mac

I want a mac, Daddy

I need a mac

I want a mac

I want a mac, Daddy

I need a mac

(Them apples don't grow on trees)

I want a Macintosh laptop

Packaging so posh

Fits like a glove in that tiny little white box

Pretty as a picture but it ain't all show

And at 8 ram deep I'll be runnin' logic pro

To make my own beats, Dad

Keep me off the streets, Dad

And Xbox would even take a backseat

So please give me a job so I can stack that paper

(Rock the beat)

'Cause this is major

Yo, I'm saving for a laptop

And lookin' for some work

5 bucks an hour and I'm willin' to serve

Ain't no job to U-G-L to the Y

I'll do almost anything to make that macbook fly

Yo, I'd teach Judah to cross it over

Then play chess all day with Moses

I'll take Leo to the Franklin fair

Dad, I'd even braid Marlee's hair

("Come on, man.")

I want a mac

I want a mac, Daddy

I need a mac

So I can make my own beats

I want a mac

I want a mac, Daddy