Gauge the length of typed responses

reading

Gauge the length of typed responses

February 13, 2013

When students type their responses on a state assessment, they feel as if they are filling a limitless “window.” They don’t know if they have written a lot or not enough. They don’t have three lined pages to gauge the length.

To help students meet the mark, you’re going to want to know the average word count for a “passing” writing at your grade level. Determine this by opening benchmark examples. Highlight and copy the provided sample that scored a passing level. Drop that into a Word document to determine the word count.

Let’s pretend the passing level for your grade had a word count of 300 words. Knowing that, have students type their next in-class prompt responses directly onto the computer. When done, have them compare their word-count total to the goal of 300 words or more. They need to know how 300 words “feels.” Did they easily accomplish that in the allotted time? Do they need to think and type faster? Do they need to add more detail? How many paragraphs is that? About how many sentences in each paragraph is that?

Kids need to know what their writing looks and feels like against the measuring stick of the passing benchmarks.

Related Articles