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For more state test prep resources, consult the article specific to your state:
Support students with short-answer writing
Visit our Smarter Balanced alignment page and select "Short Answer" to browse prompts.
In these assignments, students will write on real past short-answer prompts, and you'll grade them using the real rubric.
Support students on the Performance Task
Visit our Smarter Balanced alignment page to browse assignments that mimic the experience of the Smarter Balanced Performance Task. In these assignments, students will write on real past Performance Task prompts, and you'll grade them using the official rubric.
Each task includes two assignments: one for the short-answer portion, and one for the essay portion. While the two assignments can be used independently, we suggest assigning the short-response assignment followed by the essay, to give students an experience closer to what they'll see on the test. Alternatively, you could try discussing the short-response questions as a class before letting students work on the essay on their own.
Each essay assignment has two versions, which you’ll find under the headings Scaffolded Practice Essay and Authentic Practice Essay.
- Scaffolded Practice Essay: These versions use Guided Essay assignments to provide just-in-time tips and examples as students write practice essays. If students are just starting to prepare for test essay-writing, we recommend starting with one of these. Learn more about Guided Essays.
- Authentic Practice Essay: These versions use our Quick Write assignments, which require students to write with no additional support, just like they will on the real test. Try assigning these when you feel your students are ready to write on their own.