One of the keys to student success on the NYS grade 5 SS exam is their ability to answer a DBQ question. This part of the exam comprises 30% of their final grade.

As we become more and more familiar with this type of assessment, so will our students.  One important aspect of the whole DBQ process is the assessment of the essay.  Students NEED to know what is expected of them and what needs to be included in their answer to score a level 4.  Use the generic scoring rubric that has been developed by the state education department to assess DBQs that you create in your classroom.  Take the time to go over the rubric, piece by piece with your students.  It is time well spent.  Below you will find the rubric put into a form that students are more familiar with using.  All information is taken directly from this generic rubric.

Click below for a printer friendly version of this rubric to use with your students.

It is not enough just to give students the rubric and expect them to have a clear understanding of what a level four 'looks like' or what is the difference between a level 3 paper and a level 2 paper. They need to work with the rubric and the exemplars of each scoring level.  One great way to do this is to use the anchor papers from practice tests and/or previous tests and create a matching game. 

An example of using the rubric in a lesson plan would be as follows:

Give students a copy of the generic rubric.  Read and discuss the requirements of each level.

Ask students if they think they can be 'teachers' for the day and match the correct score with the correct essay.

Have students work in cooperative learning groups. Review the DBQ questions and expectations. Then give them copies of the anchor papers for all levels, that have been separated from the explanations and using the reasoning on the explanations, match up the correct scores to their essays.
                       

Have students be able to explain why they matched each items as they did

Successful completion of the lesson will be evidenced by students being able to correctly 'grade' the anchor papers with the correct score.

Have other examples for students to practice.  Perhaps even have it set up as a learning center for independent practice.

DBQ anchor papers for creating this activity can be found on the NYS Education Website.  Click on the globe for a direct link.

This is just an example of one way in which to use the rubric and exemplars to enhance student understanding of what is expected to be included in a level 4 answer.

Remember - the more students see the rubric and understand what is expected of them, the easier it will be for them to meet the challenge of the task.