Assessment and Instructional Guide for the Georgia Grade Three Writing Assessment

The purpose of this guide is to assist teachers in preparing their students to write effectively, both on the Georgia Grade Three Writing Assessment and in other contexts. Using Quality Core Curriculum (QCC) writing objectives, teachers are encouraged to use the information in this guide to create transparencies and handouts for students. The Developmental Stage Scoring Guidelines and model portfolio sets in the guide allow teachers and students to identify both strong and weak elements in writing samples. This writing assessment covers four types of writing: relating a personal experience; creating an imaginative story; responding to literature; and responding to a QCC content. The guide explains how to establish an effective writing program. Sections in the guide are: Introduction; Foundations; Writing Instruction; Collecting Student Writing Portfolios; Scoring; and Student Portfolio Writing Samples and Annotations. Additional resources are included, including sample writing assignments; a 38-item glossary; a list of 69 professional resources; and a graphic overview of the writing process. (PM)