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24. An explanation of the life cycle of a butterfly

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Task Details
Name of Writing Assessment Task  Explaining the Life Cycle of a Butterfly
EAL Student Stage Range  B2, B3, S2, S3, S4
Text Orientation Informative
Task Type Cued response

 

Task Specification
Purpose To assess students’ ability to explain a process: The life cycle of a butterfly
Description Students are given a diagram of the water cycle.  Learners use the diagram to explain the process in writing.
Assumed Knowledge and Description
  1. Content knowledge: Understanding of the life cycle of a butterfly and how to interpret cycle diagrams
  2. Text type, genre: Information report: an explanation of the life cycle of a butterfly
  3. Linguistic structures and features:
    • present tense to explain a process
    • active voice
    • time sequencers: then, next, after…
  4. Vocabulary: Key vocabulary in the life cycle of a butterfly: Butterfly, eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis 

 

Learning/Teaching Context
Language Centre/Mainstream Class ESL Support
Subject/key syllabus objectives, outcomes   Science
Topic/Teaching Unit  The life cycle of a butterfly
Assessment Conditions
  1. Individual activity
  2. Formal/informal: Formal
  3. Time limit: One lesson period
  4. Teacher intervention:  Limited to response to student request for clarification and encouragement 
  5. Access to resources: A diagram of the life cycle of the butterfly.  Students may use their own personal dictionaries, classroom dictionaries
  6. Scaffolding (modelled/guided/independent support): Guided
  7. Accommodations: 
Notes
  • The assessment is done on students' first draft
  • Pre-assessment activities can be extended as appropriate for students
  • The diagram of the life cycle of the butterfly is an example only
  • The diagram can be made simpler or more difficult according to the needs of the students.  There are a selection of diagrams on the web to choose from.

 

 

Task Implementation
STAGE ACTION STEPS
Pre-assessment activity
  • Teachers and students revise the life cycle of the butterfly and the vocabulary needed at each stage based on learning gained in lessons prior to the assessment
  • Teacher distributes a diagram of the life cycle of the butterfly
  • Using the diagram, students verbally explain the life cycle to each other
Assessment activity
Post-assessment activity
  • In pairs of small groups students show each other their explanation of the life cycle of a butterfly and do self and peer feedback
  • Give students time to improve and write a second draft
  • Students colour in the diagram or illustrate their explanation
  • Once the students' work has been read, provide individual and whole class feedback on strengths and individual and global improvement steps
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This is undergoing development.  Please check back soon.