EIGHTH GRADE TRAINING GUIDE
1994 Reading Rubric - Eighth Grade - Item 3
Passage Title: "After English Class"
FORM F
3. What does the poet in "After English Class" mean by the last two lines
of the poem? Explain your answer.
ITEM SCORE SCALE
| 0 |
Answer is unresponsive, unrelated, or inappropriate. |
| 1 |
Answer explains the meaning of the last two lines of the poem, but
the explanation is sparse, confusing or literal. For example, it means
I won't stop to look at the woods; it's not fun anymore. It may address
the idea of "hidden meanings." |
| 2 |
Answer explains the meaning of the last two lines of the poem. The
explanation references the poem but is brief or has minor errors. |
| 3 |
Answer explains the meaning of the last two lines of the poem. The
explanation specifically references the poem and is clear and developed. |
THE POEMS -- AFTER ENGLISH CLASS & PAUL HEWITT
AFTER ENGLISH CLASS
I used to like "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."
I liked the coming darkness
The jingle of harness bells, breaking - and adding to
---the stillnesss,
The gentle drift of snow . . .
But today, the teacher told us what everything stood for
The woods, the horse, the miles to go, the sleep --
They all have "hidden meanings."
It's grown so complicated now that
Next time I drive by,
I don't think I'll bother to stop.
"After English Class" from Hey World, Here I am! by Jean Little.
Copyright 1986 by Jean Little. Selection reprinted by permission of Harper
Collins.
Study the following question and student responses and decide for yourself
the student's score (0-3) based on the grading rubric provided above. Then
briefly print out this page, use the lined spaces below and indicate why
you chose this score, including what the student should have and should
not have included in their answer. When you have completed this part, choose
the answer section to compare your results
with the state scorers.
STUDENT RESPONSES
QUESTION
3. What does the poet in "After English Class" mean by the last two lines
of the poem? Explain your answer.
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER ONE
I think he got scareed and in trouble when he stopped.
RUBRIC SCORING
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER TWO
When he gets old enough to drive he isn't going to stop.
RUBRIC SCORING
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER THREE
I think it is talking about how she doesn't want to see the "hidden meanings."
She wants to keep the feelings she once had
RUBRIC SCORING
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER FOUR
The poet meant that the next time she reads, she probably won't stop to
think about the poem.
RUBRIC SCORING
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER FIVE
The poet meant that next time she or he reads that poem, or any poem he
won't stop to imagine what the scene is like. He'll just read it. That
sometimes learning all the hidden meanings of something can take away from
the beauty and enjoyment of it.
RUBRIC SCORING
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER SIX
The writer is saying that he is confused because what he thoght the poem
meant and what it really means are different. The teacher explained all
of the "hidden meanings" and the person is diskcouraged so he will not
read it anymore. Knowing what it meant ruined it for him.
RUBRIC SCORING
STUDENT RESPONSE NUMBER SEVEN
"Next time I drive by, I don't think I'll bother to stop," means, to the
poet, that because the teacher has revealed the "hidden meanings," in the
poem, what's the use in continuing to read poetry because what they thought
the poem meent does not agree with what the poet thinks. It's almost like
believing in someone, like a friend, and then they lei to you. Then you
feel cheated and the person is not what you thought they were.
RUBRIC SCORING
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