Read the poem 'Roller Coaster'. Then answer the following.

Explain how the shape of the poem "Roller Coaster" helps a reader understand the feeling of riding a roller coaster. In your response, use details and examples from the poem that support your explanation. Write your answer on your answer document.

Annotation: The reader answers that the poem has the same shifts as a roller coaster ride. The poems creates "suspense by going up, up, up—then down, and gives the reader anticipation Like crawl…" The reader concludes that "this poem gives you the sensation of riding a roller coaster by the text set-up, and the word placement." The reader does answer the question, offers text support for the answer, and makes a judgment about the placement of words within the text organization. To improve this response, a reader should explain how suspense and anticipation are created by the words down and crawl. In addition, the reader should clarify how the text organization and word placement re-create the "sensation of riding a roller coaster."

Annotation: The reader answers that the shape of the poem is helpful "because the shape and position of each word represents or makes the reader understand and feel what a rollercoaster feels and looks like." The reader does answer the question. To improve this response, the reader should provide text that supports the idea that shapes of words and their placement within the poem duplicate a coaster ride.

Annotation: The reader responds that the shape of the poem "makes me want to read it" which duplicates the feeling when the reader sees "a cool shaped rollercoaster" and wants to ride it and concludes that the "poem captures the energy in a roller coaster." The reader does answer the question. To improve this response, the reader should provide text that supports the idea that the shape of the poem is enticing. In addition, the reader should clarify the idea that the "poem captures the energy in a roller coaster." For example, the reader should select a word shape and placement that reflects the energy or force behind a coaster and explain how that word shape shows that force.

Annotation: The reader responds that the poem makes a reader "feel like roller coasters are awesome and fast" and then provides text support. "She said 'hugging the armored humpback track'" and "it climbs turtling, turtling up,". The reader does answer the question but does not make the connection between the ideas of awesome and fast and the text support. To improve this response, the reader should make the connection between awesome and fast and the text support focusing on the shape or placement of the words within the text and how that creates meaning for the reader rather than just how the standard meaning of the words creates the feeling.

Annotation: The reader answers "the shape of the poem helps the reader understand the feeling" noting that if the poem is turned around it duplicates the image of a roller coaster as do the words in the poem. The reader does answer the question but provides only minimal text support. To improve this response, the reader should provide text whose shape and placement of words would help a reader understand how it feels to ride a coaster and explain how the image of the coaster and the particular arrangement of words within the poem show the feeling of riding a roller coaster.

Score 3

The response demonstrates an understanding of the complexities of the text.

• Addresses the demands of the question
• Effectively uses text-relevant¹ information to clarify or extend understanding

Score 2

The response demonstrates a general understanding of the text.

• Partially addresses the demands of the question
• Uses text-relevant¹ information to show understanding

Score 1

The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the text.

• Minimally addresses the demands of the question
• Uses minimal information to show some understanding of the text in relation to the question

Score 0

The response is completely incorrect, irrelevant to the question, or missing.²

Note 1:

Text-relevant: This information may or may not be an exact copy (quote) of the text but is clearly related to the text and often shows an analysis and/or interpretation of important ideas. Students may incorporate information to show connections to relevant prior experience as appropriate.

Note 2:

An exact copy (quote) or paraphrase of the question that provides no new relevant information will receive a score of "0".

Rubric Document Date: June 2003