This performance task focuses on persuasive writing, a crucial skill for 5th graders. It allows students to demonstrate their understanding of argumentation, evidence gathering, and effective communication. The task is designed to be adaptable to various classroom settings and readily accessible without requiring costly resources.
The Task: Design a School Improvement Campaign
Students will work individually or in small groups to design a persuasive campaign to convince the school principal to implement a specific improvement at their school. This could be anything from adding a new playground feature to establishing a school garden, implementing a new library program, or improving school lunch options.
The Campaign Must Include:
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A Persuasive Essay (500-750 words): This essay forms the core of the campaign and should present a strong argument for the proposed improvement. It needs to:
- Clearly state the problem and proposed solution.
- Provide compelling reasons and evidence to support the proposal. This could include statistics, anecdotal evidence, examples from other schools, etc.
- Address potential counterarguments and refute them effectively.
- Conclude with a strong call to action, urging the principal to adopt the proposed improvement.
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Visual Aids (Posters, Flyers, or a Digital Presentation): Students will create visual materials to complement their essay and further enhance their persuasive campaign. This allows for creativity and caters to different learning styles. These visuals should reinforce the key points of their essay.
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A Short Presentation (3-5 minutes): Students will deliver a brief presentation to "pitch" their campaign to the class (acting as the school principal). This helps them practice public speaking and refine their persuasive skills.
Assessment Rubric:
This rubric provides clear expectations for each component of the assignment.
| Criteria | Excellent (4 points) | Good (3 points) | Fair (2 points) | Poor (1 point) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persuasive Essay | Clear thesis statement; strong supporting evidence; effectively addresses counterarguments; compelling conclusion. | Clear thesis; sufficient evidence; attempts to address counterarguments; acceptable conclusion. | Thesis statement present but unclear; weak evidence; limited addressing of counterarguments; weak conclusion. | Unclear or missing thesis; insufficient or irrelevant evidence; no attempt to address counterarguments; poor conclusion. |
| Visual Aids | Visually appealing; effectively supports the essay's arguments; creative and engaging. | Visually appealing; supports the essay; reasonably creative. | Visually adequate but lacks creativity; limited support for the essay. | Unattractive; minimally supports the essay; uncreative. |
| Presentation | Confident and engaging delivery; clear and concise; effectively communicates key points. | Confident delivery; clear communication; some key points emphasized. | Delivery lacks confidence; communication unclear; key points poorly conveyed. | Unclear delivery; poor communication; key points missing. |
Adapting the Task:
- Differentiation: Adjust the essay length, complexity of evidence required, and the visual aid requirements based on student needs.
- Collaboration: Encourage collaboration to facilitate peer learning and support.
- Real-World Connection: Invite a guest speaker from the school administration to provide context and feedback.
- Technology Integration: Utilize presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides) for creating visual aids and delivering presentations.
This performance task provides a fun, engaging, and relevant way for 5th-grade students to master persuasive writing while simultaneously developing crucial 21st-century skills. The free and readily accessible nature of this task makes it an excellent addition to any 5th-grade ELA curriculum.
