Writing STAAR Essays – 2017

CLOSED enrollment.
DIGITAL TRAINING.
Available January 23, 2017 – March 30, 2017.
Access 24/7 at Alice Nine Professional Development Center.

Course Outline

Module 1. Decipher the Rubrics
We will analyze the three writing traits and the student performance descriptors in the STAAR™ writing rubrics.
We will demystify the language of the rubrics in order to simplify and clarify how student writing will be assessed.
Module 2. Deconstruct the Prompt
We will closely examine each component of the expository prompt scaffold for the STAAR™ writing test in grade 4.
We will identify how students should use each component to support writing the essay for STAAR™.
Module 3. Compare and contrast the personal narrative and expository
We will create a chart (with Mr Marshmallow) that lists common essay elements and notes differences as we created a detailed, side-by-side illustrated comparison for the personal narrative and expository essays.
Module 4.  Develop the essay
Examine the structure and form of the expository essay and construct a graphic that represents each component.
Develop a model essay:
1) using the prompt to create a thesis statement (the clear central idea)
2) using Alice Nine’s X-Builder to draft the body
3) recasting thesis statement to create a conclusion with clear central idea evident
Resources.
Released prompts, STAAR-like prompts, Scoring Guides, STAAR assessment and instruction
Links to resources from TEA
Materials.  Notes and Handouts linked in this course
General information.  You have 24/7 access to this training course. Course closes on April 3, 2017
Assignments/Progress Reports conclude each Module. These become available once you have viewed videos and opened documents in the module. They must all be completed to have access to the Certificate of Completion.
Certificate.  Check marks in tick boxes (right side of course screens) are a record of your work completion. Upon completion of all course work, a Certificate of Completion (6 clock hours) will be accessible. You must print and then add your name and date to the document. Keep in your professional files. N.I.N.E. Enterprises does not keep a file of these certificates.