Short-Answer Item:
Read aloud or provide copies of two versions of a familiar story for students to read independently. Suggestions include:
- “The Princess and the Pea”
The Princess and the Pizza by Mary Jane and Herm Auch. Holiday House, 2003.
Earthquack! by Margie Palatini. Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Have students answer the following questions based on the two stories:
1. Which parts of the story changed from the original story: setting, plot, character traits, or theme? Include support from the stories in your answer.
2. How did the changes impact the story?
Short-Answer Key and Scoring Rubric:
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Points
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Description
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3
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Student completes all three of the requirements:
- correctly identifies the parts of the story that changed (setting, plot, character traits, or theme)
- includes evidence from the stories to support the answers
- accurately states the effect the changes have on the other parts of the story (e.g., the plot changes, the setting changes, the theme changes)
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2
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Student completes two of the requirements.
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1
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Student completes one of the requirements.
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0
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Student demonstrates a lack of understanding or does not attempt to answer the questions.
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Performance Assessment:
Have students complete one of the following activities:
1. Read aloud the original version of “The Little Red Hen.” Discuss the theme of selfishness. Have students work with you to rewrite this story with the theme of cooperation. Post the rewritten version of the story on the board/interactive whiteboard or provide copies for students.
Remind students to think about how the new theme changes the character traits of the main character and the plot. Have students write a paragraph that includes an explanation of the following:
a. How does the theme affect the main character?
b. How do the changes in the main character affect the plot?
2. Give students two stories with a similar theme from their anthology. Have them reread the stories and determine the theme. Then, have them answer the following questions:
a. What is the theme of the stories?
b. How do the main character’s traits support the theme in each story?
c. How would changes in the character’s traits impact the theme in each story?
Note: Students may complete this task orally in small groups under your direction.
Performance Assessment Scoring Rubrics:
1. Write a paragraph explaining how the change of theme affects the main character and how the changes in character affect the plot of “The Little Red Hen.”
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Points
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Description
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2
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Student completes both of the requirements:
- explains how changing the theme affects the main character
- explains how the changes in the main character affect the plot
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1
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Student completes one of the requirements.
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0
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Student demonstrates a lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the task.
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2. Read two stories and identify the common theme. Explain how the main character’s traits support the theme in each story, and explain how changes in the character’s traits would impact the theme in each story.
Points
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Description
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3
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Student completes all three of the requirements:
- identifies the common theme of the stories
- explains how the characters’ traits support the theme in each story
- explains how changes in the characters’ traits would impact the theme of each story
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2
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Student completes two of the requirements.
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1
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Student completes one of the requirements.
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0
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Student demonstrates a lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the task.
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