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[quote=Anonymous]PP I think that was a well written letter.

Note that the author states she is supportive of Common Core State Standards.   She is criticizing the PARCC test questions, and I think she has some valid points.  The fact that the president's daughters won't be taking the test is not terribly relevant, but it is an attention grabber, sure.

I agree with the author of the letter -- I think the PARCC essay question for 3rd graders is too hard, and demands too many skills for a developing reader and writer, espeically as the test in many cases will be measured on a computer, and many kids that age can't even type well.

I think the question "How do a character's words and actions contribute to the plot" is awfully theoretical for 3rd grade.   I'm not someone who every really appreciated the study of literature, though, so maybe I am missing something obvious.

I haven't read that particular story (with Old Mother Wind and Sandwitch) but would a possible acceptable answer be something like "Old Mother Wind said that she would blow and blow until people did what she asked.  That had an effect on the plot because it made all the other animals do what she told them.     The Sandwitch said she would sprinkle sand one everyone's food, and that made all the animals cover their food so she couldn't get at it"  be acceptable?   If something like that is what is looked for with these plot questions.... I don't think it would be too hard to teach evem third graders to write short paragraphs like that.

What is interesting is the concept behind these essays -- no longer are kids going to be asked "What is your opinion about that" where there are no right or wrong opinions.   Instead kids will be asked to read something, make a claim (a thesis statement, essentially) and then back it up with references to the text.   This is a pretty important skill, and if what I wrote above would be an appropriate enough answer for third grade  (given that I kind of made up the plot of the story because I haven't read it) then I don't think it will be too awful.[/quote]

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