GRASPS Performance Assessment

We have begun the second stage of developing a unit using Understanding by Design, which is planning how you will assess student understanding.  I have identified my goals for student learning, and now we can develop ways to see what they have learned.  So far, I have developed one performance assessment using the GRASPS model that is included below.  Because my unit includes colonial geography and the past and present influence of human activity, I want to assess both using performance based measures.  However, I currently have only one assessment focusing on colonial geography.  As I continue working, I will hopefully update with a more present day assessment.

Grasps Task

Goal:

Your task is to draft a speech motivating your fellow colonists to stay in the Jamestown (or Plymouth) colony, explaining why it is the best possible location and how you will overcome any geographical challenges.

Role:

You are a leader in the Jamestown (or Plymouth) colony.

You have been asked to calm settlers who are concerned about the area that you are settling in and do not wish to stay.

Audience:

Your target audience is other settlers.

You need to convince worried setters that the area around Jamestown (or Plymouth) offers the best resources to build their settlement.

Situation:

The context you find yourself in is recently arrived to Jamestown (or Plymouth)

The challenge involves dealing with the various concerns of other settlers and addressing potential problems in the area.

Product, Performance, Purpose:

You will create a motivational speech to present in the town square in order to calm your fellow settlers and give them suggestions to improve their environment and build the settlement.

Standards and Criteria for Success:

A successful result will utilize geographical facts about the geography of the early colonists, and will address significant issues of colonial lifestyles.  Your argument must be detailed and specific enough to convince the settlers.

Your work will be judged by a group of “fellow colonists” from the community and the teacher.