Writing Framework LibGuide Grade 5: PSSA Preparation

• Write multi-paragraph stories. Include detailed descriptions of people, places, and things. Include literary elements and devices.
• Write 5 paragraph informational and opinion pieces.
• Include clearly stated opinion with supporting details for the opinion writing prompts.
• Write with a clear focus, identifying topic, task, and audience.
• Organize writing in a logical order. Use appropriate transitions within sentences and between paragraphs. Include an identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Write with an understanding of style, using a variety of sentence structures and descriptive word choices.
• Revise writing to improve organization and word choice.

Sentence types

Review nouns and verbs (tense shifts)

Pronouns/antecedent agreement

Vocabulary: transitions

Punctuation: capitalization and end punctuation

Spelling awareness

• Establish 5 domains of writing; focus, content, organization, style, conventions
• Introduce how to interpret a prompt; narrative, informational, opinion
• Explain Pennsylvania Writing Assessment Domain Scoring Guideline
• Develop writing stamina for students through practice of sample PSSA writing tests
• Model sample pieces of writing for students to evaluate and review
• Practice sample multiple-choice questions

PSSA Writing Domain Scoring Guidelines (see links below)

PA Core Standards

2016-2017 Item & Scoring Sampler