Speaking Assessment

WIDA Standard
English Language Proficiency Standard 4: English language learners communicate
information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of
Science
Science SOL: Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change
1.7 The student will investigate and understand weather and seasonal changes. Key
concepts include
a) changes in temperature, light, and precipitation affect plants and animals, including
humans;
c) changes in temperature, light, and precipitation can be observed and recorded over
time
Oral Language SOL
1.2 The student will expand understanding and use of word meanings.
a) Increase listening and speaking vocabularies.
d) Use vocabulary from other content areas.
Grade Level: 1
WIDA Level: 4
Purpose: Students will tell a story about building a snowman based on the pictures
provided below. Students will be asked to use sequencing words and new winter
vocabulary in their description. They will be evaluated on their ability to use the
sequencing words and the new vocabulary. The test administrator will be checking for
overall fluency and clarity of the description.
Language Objectives: Students will tell a story using appropriate sequencing and
descriptive vocabulary.
Content Objectives: Students will be able to describe aspects of winter and include key
vocabulary about the sun and temperature when looking at images. Students will be able
to discuss the how changes in sun and temperature affect people and nature.
Assessment items:
Directions: (Test takers hear) Look at the four pictures below. They tell a story about a
snowman. Use sequencing words and winter vocabulary words to tell the story while
looking at the pictures. Tell why the snowman is gone in the last picture.

Rubric for Assessment:

Excellent
(3 points)
Sequencing
Vocabulary
(35% weight)

Student used
sequencing
vocabulary in
every transition
between images
Winter
Student used
vocabulary
more than 5
(35% weight)
winter
vocabulary
words
Concept
Student
knowledge (15% explained why
weight)
the snowman
melted with
correct science
knowledge and
vocabulary
Fluency/clarity
Student spoke
(15% weight)
fluently and
clearly

Good
(2 points)

Okay
(1 points)

Try again
(0 point)

Student used
sequencing
vocabulary in
most transitions
between images
Student used 4-5
winter
vocabulary
words

Student used
sequencing
vocabulary in
one transition
between images
Student used 2-3
winter
vocabulary
words

Student did not

use sequencing
vocabulary in
transitions
between images
Student used 0-1
winter
vocabulary
words

Student partially
explained why
the snowman
melted with
correct science
knowledge and
vocabulary
Student lacked
fluency or
clarity but
speech was
intelligible

Student
attempted to
explain why the
snowman melted
but lacked
vocabulary or
understanding
Student lacked
fluency and
clarity and
speech was
difficult to
understand

Student did not

explain why the
snowman melted

Meaning was
lost because of
the lack of
fluency and/or
clarity

References
Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. (2007). The WIDA English language
proficiency standards, 2007 Edition, PreKindergarten through Grade 12 (3rd ed.).
https://www.wida.us/standards/eld.aspx
Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. (2007). The WIDA English language
can do descriptors, 2007 Edition, PreKindergarten through Grade 12 (3rd ed.).
https://www.wida.us/standards/CAN_DOs/#keyuses
Brown, H. D., & Abeywickrama, P. (2010). Language assessment: Principles and classroom
practices (2nd ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.

Google images. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://2.bp.blogspot.com/V5YUBDt39CY/UGCxHDDXCNI/AAAAAAAADEM/qfq9tB7haQ/s1600/snowman.jpg

Virginia Department of Education. (2010). English standards of learning for Virginia Public
Schools grade one. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/english/2010/stds_english1.pdf
Virginia Department of Education. (2010). Science standards of learning for Virginia
Public Schools. Retrieved from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/2010/k6/stds_science1.pdf