Reading Performance Task Teacher Instructions Climbing the Mountain Instructions for the Teacher The Climbing the Mountain performance task is based on a narrative that describes a boy s experiences overcoming his fear and hiking a mountain trail at summer camp. Students read the text, respond to questions to demonstrate their understanding of the text, and write a response that requires applying their comprehension of the theme and setting of the story to a comparison with another narrative of their choice. Read the student performance task and familiarize yourself with the text and the individual tasks the student will be asked to complete. Provide students with the student performance task and a means (paper or electronic) to write their responses. The recommended time for completing the task is one hour. Students complete the task individually. Assess student performance based on the accompanying rubric. Performance Task Skills Describe the setting and analyze how it contributes to the story Cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning Use details from a story, drama, or poem to determine its theme Compare and contrast how stories, myths, and other traditional literature from various cultures approach similar themes and ideas and how different stories may employ archetypal patterns (e.g., discuss variations on the quest) Explain the meanings of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as bright as the sun) in grade-appropriate texts Task Evidence Rating/Points 1. Why does Grant want to earn the Fitness Badge? Use details from the story to give reasons for your answer. Student explains why Grant wants to earn the Fitness Badge, indicating ability to develop explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student provides details from the story to support the explanation, indicating the student s ability to cite textual details and examples to support explanations about a literary text s meaning. 4 points 1 point for the explanation supporting detail (3 2. Where does the story take place? What are these settings like? What events happen in each setting? What ideas are Student identifies three settings from the story, indicating ability to identify the setting. Student describes each of the three 12 points setting identification (3 1 of 8
presented or talked about in each setting? In the chart, write three settings and describe each one. Then, find details from the story that show what each setting is like. Finally, include an event or idea from the story that goes with each setting. 3. What examples of similes and metaphors can you find in the story? What does each example mean? Write three similes or metaphors from the story in the chart below. Think about what each simile or metaphor adds to the story. Then, write the meaning. 4. Why is Grant proud of himself at the end of the story? Use details from the story to give reasons for your answer. 5. Part 1: Which statements describe the themes in this story? Select all that apply. settings, indicating ability to describe the setting and analyze how it contributes to the story. Student includes details from the story that show what each setting is like, indicating ability to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student explains events and ideas associated with each setting, indicating ability to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning and use details from a story to determine its theme. Student identifies three similes or metaphors, indicating ability to recognize simple similes and metaphors. Student explains the meaning of three similes or metaphors, indicating the student s ability to explain the meanings of simple similes and metaphors and the ability to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student correctly explains the reasons for Grant s pride at the end of the story, indicating to explain a literary text s meaning and determine the theme of a story. Student provides textual evidence to support the explanation, indicating ability to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student selects a, c, and d as themes in the story, indicating ability to use details from a story to determine its theme setting description (3 1 point for textual evidence for each setting (3 description of events or ideas associated with each setting (3 6 points simile or metaphor (3 accurate explanation of meaning (3 4 points 2 points for an accurate explanation piece of textual support (2 3 points theme (3 5. Part 2: Look back at the setting chart in question #2. Explain how the settings support the themes you selected above. Student explains the connections between themes a, c, and d and the settings in the story, indicating ability to use details from a story to determine its theme, to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning, and to describe the setting 3 points explanation of the association between setting and theme (3 2 of 8
5. Part 3: Choose one of the themes you selected above. What details in the story help show this theme? 6. Use your understanding of setting and theme in Climbing the Mountain to write this essay. The essay should explain one theme in the story, as well as how the setting helps create this theme. The essay also should explain another story that has the same theme. The other story can be from a book, a movie, or a play. You will explain how the theme in this story is similar to the theme in Climbing the Mountain. You should use details from the story to give reasons for your explanations. and analyze how it contributes to the story. Student cites specific details from the story to support the chosen theme, indicating ability to use details from a story to determine its theme and to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student explains one theme in the story, indicating ability to use details from a story to determine its theme and to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student explains how the setting contributes to theme, indicating ability to describe the setting and analyze how it contributes to the story, ability to use details from a story to determine its theme, and the ability to cite textual details and examples to support inferences and explanations about a literary text s meaning. Student compares the theme of Climbing the Mountain to the theme in another story, indicating ability to compare and contrast how stories approach similar themes and ideas. 3 points piece of textual support (3 20 points 4 points for effectively explaining a theme 4 points for effectively explaining how setting contributes to theme 4 points for selecting another story with a similar theme 4 points for effectively explaining how the theme in the two stories is similar 4 points for citing textual evidence to support explanations Sample Top-Score Response for Item #6 The theme of Climbing the Mountain is that sometimes you have to face your fears to learn and grow. In the story, Grant is at camp. He wants to earn the Fitness Badge. He has to climb a mountain to do it. He s afraid of heights, though. Grant tries anyway. During the hike, he gets scared. The counselor tells him they can go back. But Grant decides he wants to keep going. When he gets to the top, he s so happy. He can see everything from the mountain. He feels proud because he kept going even though he was scared. Sometimes you have to do that in order to learn new things. Grant was one step closer to the Fitness Badge. The setting helps create the theme. At first, the trail is enjoyable. Grant sees the leaves sparkling like diamonds. The birds sing. Then, when Grant gets scared, the setting changes. The trees are tall and scary. The birds are loud. Finally, at the top of the mountain, Grant beams like the sun. The setting is perfect. Grant can t believe the view. He s in awe. When Grant was scared, the setting was scary. But after he overcomes his fear, the setting is beautiful. 3 of 8
Another story like Climbing the Mountain is The Legend of Coqui. In The Legend of Coqui, the coqui has to be brave and strong when he s getting ready to race the other animals. Even though he s not sure he can do it at first, he keeps working hard and believes in himself. The theme of that story is similar to Climbing the Mountain because in both stories the main characters have to work hard and be brave. Instructions for the Student Read the story Climbing the Mountain. It is about a boy named Grant who spends the summer at camp. As you read the story, think about where the story takes place and what Grant learns. After reading it, you will answer questions about the story. Then, you will use what you ve learned to write an essay for a fellow student. This essay will help the student better understand the story. Climbing the Mountain Grant was very excited about summer camp. It was so different from his home in New York City. He was used to noisy, busy streets and lots of people. Grant liked the city, but he liked Clearview Summer Camp too. It was quiet and peaceful. Grant couldn t wait to relax by the lake and listen to the birds. Grant arrived at camp on a warm day in June. All the campers gathered in the cafeteria. The camp counselors said they had an announcement to make. The campers buzzed like bees. This year, we are going to give out badges to celebrate campers who achieve excellence! Counselor Kip said. There are many different types of badges. There is an Art Badge, a Friendship Badge, a Nature Badge, and a Fitness Badge. I will be passing out a paper that tells you what you need to do for each badge. Think about which badge you want to earn! Grant s eyes lit up like stars in the night. He already knew which badge he wanted: the Fitness Badge. Grant loved sports. He was good at soccer and basketball. He thought getting the badge would be easy. The first task Grant had to do was to hike to Point Clearview. Two counselors, Evan and Sasha, were going to lead a group of campers up the mountain trail. Grant didn t like heights. Living on the tenth floor of his building in New York didn t bother him, but he felt uneasy thinking about being on a mountaintop. Evan noticed that Grant looked nervous. Don t worry, Grant, he said. The trail may look steep, but it is very safe. Make sure you listen to Sasha and me. The views are worth the climb. Grant gulped. Just how steep? he wondered. 4 of 8
Grant and five other campers set out on the trail with Evan and Sasha. At first, it was easy. The birds sang and the leaves on the trees sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. Grant smiled. Maybe this wouldn t be so hard after all! After a while, the climb started to get steeper. Grant felt his heart beat faster. He looked around. All of the other campers seemed happy. They were telling jokes and laughing with one another. How could they be so calm when they were getting higher and higher on the mountain? You re doing great, Grant! Evan said encouragingly. Grant nodded, but he was worried. All of a sudden, the trees looked tall and frightening. The cries of the birds were as loud as alarms. The big rocks lining the trail stared at Grant coldly. Grant stopped in his tracks. He wasn t so sure about getting the Fitness Badge anymore. Evan came to talk to Grant. It s okay if you don t want to keep going, Grant. We can go back to camp. But, we only have a little farther to go until we reach Point Clearview. And I think it s a sight you don t want to miss. I ll walk right next to you if you want. I promise it s safe. Grant thought about it. He had already come so far that he didn t want to turn back. He wanted to prove to himself that he could do it, that he could overcome his fear. He was still a little scared, but he knew he could count on Evan. Okay, let s go to the top! Grant said to Evan. A few minutes later, Evan and Grant reached the top of the mountain. Grant beamed like the sun as he took in the beautiful view. He could see the camp, the lake, and the clouds. He could even see the city buildings in the distance. Wow, Grant whispered in awe. I think I might be able to see my apartment from here! You live in the city? Evan said. Grant nodded. Well, that s something I m scared of! Evan said. There re so many people! And I always end up getting lost! Grant chuckled. Maybe one day I can help you overcome your fear, just like you helped me with my fear of heights. Grant took one last look at the view before the group headed back to camp. He was one step closer to the Fitness Badge. Most importantly, Grant felt proud of himself for making it to the top. 5 of 8
1. Why does Grant want to earn the Fitness Badge? Use details from the story to give reasons for your answer. 2. Where does the story take place? What are these settings like? What events happen in each setting? What ideas are presented or talked about in each setting? In the chart, write three settings and describe each one. Include details from the story that show what each setting is like. Finally, include an event or idea from the story that goes with each setting. Setting and Details Events and Ideas 6 of 8
3. Similes and metaphors are ways to describe things by comparing them to other things. To write a simile or metaphor, an author finds a shared trait between the two different things. A simile uses the words like or as. The yellow shirt was as bright as the sun is an example of a simile. A metaphor does not use the words like or as. The blanket was a cloud is an example of a metaphor. What examples of similes and metaphors can you find in the story? What does each example mean? Write three similes or metaphors from the story in the chart below. Think about what each simile or metaphor adds to the story. Then, write the meaning. One is already done for you. Simile or Metaphor The campers buzzed like bees. Meaning The campers were excited and noisy. 4. Why is Grant proud of himself at the end of the story? Use details from the story to give reasons for your answer. 5. Part 1. The theme of a story is the main idea or lesson shown in the story. There can be more than one theme in a story. Which statements describe the themes in this story? Select all that apply. a. Reaching a goal takes hard work and determination. b. It is important to be thankful for what you have rather than jealous of what others have. c. Help from others is important when facing problems. 7 of 8
d. Sometimes you have to face fears in order to learn and grow. e. You should always plan carefully before taking on a new challenge. Part 2: Look back at the setting chart in question #2. Explain how the settings support the themes you selected above. Part 3: Choose one of the themes you selected above. What details in the story help show this theme? Use What You Have Learned! Now it s time to show what you have learned. You will write an essay about a setting and a theme in the story Climbing the Mountain. In this essay, you also will write about another story you have read or seen that has a theme similar to the one you chose in Climbing the Mountain. You want this essay to help others better understand the setting and theme of the story Climbing the Mountain. 6. Use your understanding of setting and theme in Climbing the Mountain to write this essay. The essay should explain one theme in the story, as well as how the setting helps create this theme. The essay also should explain another story that has the same theme. The other story can be from a book, a movie, or a play. You will explain how the theme in this story is similar to the theme in Climbing the Mountain. You should use details from the story to give reasons for your explanations. 8 of 8