Answering and Scoring Open-Ended Questions
- Grades: 9–12
- Unit Plan:
Students will answer open-ended questions using the ACE method and edit and revise each others' responses using the rubric.
- Develop answers for open-ended questions
- Peer edit open-ended responses
- Apply the Open-Ended Scoring Rubric (PDF) to open-ended responses
- Short 1 or 2 page text
- Open-ended questions for the short text
- Open-Ended Scoring Rubric (PDF)
Step 1: Put students into groups of 3.
Step 2: Distribute the same open-ended question to each group and tell them to develop an answer.
Step 3: After all groups are done explain the ACE method to them.
A= answer the question as written
C= cite from the text using details and quotes to support your answer
E= explain how your citations support your answer
Step 4: Have each group go back over their answer and revise it so that it contains the 3 parts of the ACE method.
Step 5: After they've completed their revisions, collect the responses and redistribute them so that each group has another groups' response.
Step 6: Each group should identify the A, C, and the E in the response they have.
Step 7: Choose a volunteer from each group to write on the board. Have them write the "A" from the paper they have on the board and then as a class discuss the various answers while identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each one.
Step 8: Follow the same routine for the C and E.
Step 9: For homework, give students a worksheet with at least 4 different open-ended questions and their responses. Ask students to identify the A, C, and E in each response.
Step 1: Put students in groups that are different from the ones they were in yesterday. Distribute and discuss the open ended scoring rubric.
Step 2: Redistribute the group responses from yesterday and have the students apply the rubric.
Step 3: As a class discuss the various scores that were given and why.
Step 4: Distribute a new open-ended question that refers to the present text you are reading in class and have students work on it individually.
Supporting All Learners
Working in groups is the best way for students to learn because we learn 95% of what we teach to someone else. By helping each other they are helping themselves regardless of what level they're on. When forming groups make sure you put at least one high level and one low level learner in each group.
Answer open-ended questions using the ACE method.
- Did your students begin performing higher on the open-ended responses?
- Were students applying the scoring rubric correctly?
- Did the students correctly apply the ACE method?
- Were the students engaging in meaningful conversation about the quotes and the questions?