Mrs. Torres-Stephens’s Grade 5 Science Current Event Writing Guidelines

(A current event is a summary of a recent article taken from a newspaper, magazine, internet site, etc. )

DIRECTIONS:

Conduct a search for a SCIENCE current event and write a summary using the outline found below.

REMEMBER:

·  Please select an article related to science; which was written/published within the last 30 days.

·  Article and rubric must be turned in with current event summary.

·  When possible, please type summary using ONLY Times New Roman (font size 12) (If typing and printing, your summary is NOT possible, please use your best handwriting.)

·  Correct heading and format are mandatory.

·  Use YOUR own words. Do not copy the article. It is NOT ethical.

·  Indent each paragraph

·  Edit writing several times. Spelling, grammar, capitalization, (proper nouns, first word of every sentence, etc…) and punctuation absolutely count! Have someone else edit your summary also.

All articles are to be written using the following format.

I.  FIRST PARAGRAPH

A.  Title of the article

B.  When the article was written (Should be within last 30 days)

C.  Author of article

D.  Source (Where did you get the article)

II.  SECOND PARAGRAPH:

A.  The 5 W’s:

1.  Who is your article about?

2.  What happened in your article?

3.  When did the event in the article take place?

4.  Where did your article take place?

5.  Why did the event take place or why is it important?

III.  THIRD PARAGRAPH:

A.  Reflection: (In my opinion, Title of Article was …) (Did you like it)

B.  Explain why you feel this way

C.  Make a connection (Text-to-text / Text-to-Media Connections)

KID FRIENDLY WEBSITES

http://www.timeforkids.com/news

http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/kidsnews/

http://www.weeklyreader.com/subcategory/74

http://www.dogonews.com/category/science

http://www.ascplcl.wordpress.com/homework-help/current-events/

Name: ______HRT:______Date: ______

Grade 5 Science Current Event Rubric

First Paragraph
Title of the article / /1
Author of article / /1
When the article was written / /1
Where you found the article (SOURCE) / /1
Total / /4
Second Paragraph
Who is the article about / /5
What is the article about / /5
When did the event take place / /3
Where did the event take place / /2
Why did the event take place or why was it important / /5
Total / /20
Third Paragraph
Your reflection/opinion / /5
Why you feel this way / /10
Made a connection / /10
Total / /25
Things to Remember
Wrote neatly or typed / /5
Attached your article / /3
Used your own words / /5
Had an adult sign the bottom of your summary / /3
Turned in assignment on or before due date (On-Time) / /10
Cited author in writing (According to author…. According to the article..) / /5
Correct Heading / /5
Writing Convention (Spelling, grammar, capitalization, paragraphing) / /15
Total / /51

Comments: Points = ______/ 100%

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