Writing Recommendations

Social Science Curriculum Review

WRITING RECOMMENDATIONS

· Utilize standardized (not standard) rubrics for essays and projects at all levels

· Social Science Essay Recommendations:

Different from English = Creative Essay; style > substance
Social Science = Persuasive Journalism; substance > style
Structure (6^th – 7^th), Content (Evidence; 7^th – 8^th), Analysis (Opinion; 8^th – 9^th), Interpretive (9^th – 10^th), Interactive (11^th – 12^th)

Grade	Recommendations for Writing the Social Science Essay
6^th	Paragraph – Outline for paragraph writing, establish structure Identify the core regions where Buddhism is the dominant religion.
7^th	Multi-Paragraph Essay – Thesis/Support/Conclusion Describe the region, spread, and one core belief of Buddhism.
8^th	“Bullet Essay” – Descriptive, comparative Compare and contrast three causes for the spread of Buddhism.
9^th	“Bullet Essay” – Analytical, persuasive Explain the reasons Buddhism successfully diffused from India to other regions of the world while Hinduism did not.
10^th	Document Essay – Multiple interpretations, defend thesis ”Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” How does this quote relate to the successful diffusion of Buddhism into China ?
11^th & 12^th	Mastery level Student Assignment: Create an essay question and develop an evaluative rubric that will help 9^th grade students acquire a better understanding of the belief system and diffusion of Buddhism.