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Fifth Grade: Third Trimester Informational Prompt 2013
On Demand Writing
Above Standard (4)
Student Exemplar
Standard
Example
Annotations
Tornadoes
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Imagine a giant spinning whirlwind cloud destroying
homes and cars striking them with a CRASH! This is
what a tornado is. These freaks of nature travel up to 300
mph! They form is special ways and the effects are
devastating.
Many people don’t know what tornadoes are. They are
giant spinning clouds that are funnel shaped and
destructive. Another word for tornado is Twister because
the 300 mps winds make the Tornado spin very violently.
The most destructive Twisters are formed in the U.S. The
area that has the most tornadoes is called “Tornado
Alley.” This region covers Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansaw,
Kansas, and part of Tennessee.
As a tornado is happening, you might think, “The world
is ending, the world is ending!” But what is really
happening is cold air from the Pacific Ocean meets warm
air from the Gulf of Mexico. The warm air rises, trying to
get through the cold air. But, cold air is heavier than
warm air so the cold air breaks through the warm air
creating a tornado.
If you live in Sunny California you might not know
what happens during a Tornado. Inside the Twister many
objects are being tossed around the Twister. In the center
of the Tornado is the eye (the middle of the Tornado). It
is said to be calm inside the eye of the spinning beast.
There are usually thunderstorms during a Tornado. Many
things can be destroyed including, cars, trees, houses, and
power lines. Many people can die by debris falling on
them or by the tornado sucking them up!
As you can see, Tornadoes are devastating spinning
clouds that can kill many people and animals. It takes hot
and cold air to make one of these freaks of nature.
Confusion and wonder are part of what makes Tornadoes
so scary. These clouds of doom are scary, yet an amazing
thing of nature.
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Text Types and Purposes
Skillfully writes an informative/explanatory
text to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly
Clearly conveys ideas about the topic using a
categorical format
Introductory paragraph hooks the reader’s
attention and provides a brief summary of the
topic and a thesis statement that is addressed
throughout the paper
Effectively links ideas within and across
categories
Develops the topic with facts, definitions,
details, and examples
Adroitly uses precise language and domain
specific vocabulary to thoroughly inform or
explain
Paraphrases key information
Provides a concluding paragraph that sums up
main idea and ends with a snap
Production and Distribution of Writing
Skillfully produces clear, coherent paragraphs
Body paragraphs include topic sentences and
supporting details that relate to the thesis
 Independently plans, revises, and edits to
significantly improve coherence of text
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Research
Independently gathers and includes
information from the print and digital
resources (lists sources)
Effectively categorizes information
Skillfully draws evidence from the text to
support analysis, reflection, and research
Conventions
Little or no errors in spelling, capitalization,
punctuation, and usage
Includes a variety of sentences
Uses transitional words