Writer: Margaret Johnson
| NCEA Level: 2 | Duration: 3 weeks |
| Unit standard being assessed US 12420 Version 3
Performance criteria
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This unit standard is derived from reading language achievement objectives up to and including Level 7: close reading, exploring language, using texts, processing information, thinking critically.
While the subject matter in this Unit Standard may not at first appear to be relevant to ESOL students, it will be at least partly familiar to students who have studied Biology Level 1 Achievement Standard 90166 (Describe the functioning of human digestive and skeletomuscular systems). In this AS knowledge is required of some named malfunctions of the digestive system. One of these is bowel cancer. However it should be possible for other students to pick up the necessary information from the recommended texts.
While tasks are supplied for some of the texts used, teachers will need to design tasks to activate prior learning and pre-teach vocabulary for each other new text chosen. Research has shown that making links with students' prior knowledge is vital to the learning process. Some suitable web pages to access for ideas on how to do this are:
The first formative assessment is more scaffolded. For more information about scaffolding there is a useful article on the NCREL website about scaffolding. This assessment is a practice run so is an open book assessment done after some group work.
For summative assessment, teachers must be satisfied that the close reading work is the student's. Students should complete close reading activities in class. If the close reading activity is to be used for summative assessment, teachers should ensure that the extent of teacher input does not compromise assessment validity; in other words, the work is the student's, not the teacher's.
Teachers may guide students actively through the initial tasks. When completing close reading activities for summative assessment, students can compare their answers to those in the initial tasks to ensure that their close reading answers are at an appropriate level.
Students should have several opportunities during the year to develop their close reading skills.
Note: Teachers using this unit will need to check that it accords with their school assessment policy.
This assessment is to be completed individually, in class and under exam conditions. It cannot be taken out of class.
See the AssessmentSchedule (Word 59KB) which is linked to the When they told me ... text indicating the level of answers required. Successful completion of this task will fulfil part of the range statement (one of two close readings) for the level 2 Unit standard 12420: Read transactional text closely.
Other texts (or text extracts) with a similar focus to texts included in this unit could also be included as material for a second close reading activity to complete the range statement for this unit standard. The questions could be adapted as required. A second close reading activity could also be completed using the Getting Around unit.
Published on: 24 Jun 2009
