Read these articles about a secret language, 'Codetalking' and 'The Navajo'. Then answer the following.

Which article more effectively expresses the author's attitude toward the Code Talkers? In your response use information from the article that supports your answer. Write your answer on your answer document.

Annotation: The student responds that "the second article (The Navajo) expressed the author attitude towards the code talkers more because…he said it happily and had a good attitude towards it." Next, the student gives examples of Navajo words "like 'besh-legai-nah-kih' and 'sana' ." The student does answer the question and uses marginal although unrelated text support for that answer. To improve this response, the student should focus on the author's "good attitude" and use text support that shows that attitude toward the Code Talkers. Next the student should explain how that text support relays the author's attitude toward the Code Talkers.

Annotation: The student responds that "The Navajo" is more effective in expressing "the author's attitude towards the code talkers." The student accesses the text for words "like complex, successful, and devised" that "describ the author's attitude, opinion, and tone. The student does answer the question and does use marginal but ineffective text support. To improve this response, the student should identify what the author's attitude is and use text references that support that attitude. If additional text is used with the identified words "complex, successful, and devised" the student can support the author's positive attitude toward the Code Talkers.

Annotation: The student responds that " 'The Navajo' expresses the authors feelings better towards the code-talkers" because "the Marines expressed that the codetalkers were their secret weapons." Next the student cites the text "The code talkers were finally recognized… and the word "Finally" expresses that she thought they should've been recognized a long time ago." The student does answer the question and uses two significant pieces of text that support the answer. Finally the student draws a conclusion about the word "Finally" that indicates the degree of the author's feelings.

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