1. Presented by Christie Leigan Prairie Lands Writing Project June 2011

16. The pre-test results showed that only 36% of the third graders were proficient in organizing their writing. In order to be proficient, their writing must have scored a 3 or a 4 on the scoring guide. Pre Test Results (Number of students) 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1 Point 1 7 12 2

17. After 22 days of explicit instruction about how to organize a story using effective leads and endings as well as how to write paragraphs with supporting details, the post test results showed that 64% of students were proficient in organizing their writing. This was an increase of 28%. 10 of the 22 students increased one or more levels from the pre to post-test. Post Test Results (Number of Students) 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1 Point 6 8 8 0

18. Of the 12 students whose level did not increase, none of them went down a level; their score remained consistent from the pre to post-test. While these 12 students did not go up a level using the holistic scoring guide, their writing did show improvement. The following excerpts are examples of leads and endings written by students whose score remained the same from the pre to the post-test: Comparison of Pre and Post Test Results (Number of Students) +3 Points +2 Points +1 Point +0 Points 1 1 8 12