Fourth Grade

Common Core
Writing Portfolio
and Assignments

Lisa Steele

Student Name: ___________________________________________________________ Teacher: _______________________________ Year: __________

Fourth Grade Common Core Writing Portfolio Checklist

Standard
4.W.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons and
information.

4.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to

examine a topic and convey ideas and information
clearly.

4.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined

experiences or event using effective technique,
descriptive details and clear sequence of events.

4.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which

the development and organization are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.

4.W.5 With guidance and support from peers and

adults, develop and strengthen writing a needed by
planning, revising, and editing.

4.W.6 With some guidance and support from

adults, use technology, including the internet, to
produce and publish writing as well as to interact
and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient
command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of
one page in a single sitting.

Shaded Areas
Date
Evidence (Title of Writing Represent
Piece)
Opinion Piece 1: __________________________________________________
Assignments Included
Opinion Piece 2: __________________________________________________
Informative/Explanatory Piece 1: __________________________________
Informative/Explanatory Piece 2: __________________________________
Narrative Piece 1: _________________________________________________
Unshaded Represent

Your Own Classroom

Narrative Piece 2: ________________________________________________
Assignments.

Genre: _______________________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________________
Genre: _______________________________________________________
Use whatever scoring
Title: ____________________________________________________

system you have

already in place for
score.
Writing With Technology: __________________________________________

W.4.7. Conduct short research projects that build

knowledge through investigation of different aspects

of a topic.
W.4.8. Recall relevant information from experiences
or gather relevant information from print and digital
sources; take notes and categorize information, and
provide a list of sources.

W.4.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational

texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Research Project 1 _______________________________________________

Research Project 2 ______________________________________________

Literary Text Analysis ___________________________________________

Informational Text Analysis _____________________________________

Score

Student Name: ___________________________________________________________ Teacher: _______________________________ Year: __________

Fourth Grade Common Core Writing Portfolio Checklist

Standard
4.W.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view with reasons and
information.

4.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to

examine a topic and convey ideas and information
clearly.

4.W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined

experiences or event using effective technique,
descriptive details and clear sequence of events.

4.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which

the development and organization are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.

4.W.5 With guidance and support from peers and

adults, develop and strengthen writing a needed by
planning, revising, and editing.

Evidence (Title of Writing Piece)

Opinion Piece 1: __________________________________________________
Opinion Piece 2: __________________________________________________
Informative/Explanatory Piece 1: __________________________________
Informative/Explanatory Piece 2: __________________________________
Narrative Piece 1: _________________________________________________
Narrative Piece 2: ________________________________________________
Genre: _______________________________________________________
Title: _________________________________________________________
Genre: _______________________________________________________
Title: ____________________________________________________

4.W.6 With some guidance and support from

adults, use technology, including the internet, to
produce and publish writing as well as to interact
and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient
command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of
one page in a single sitting.

Writing With Technology: __________________________________________

W.4.7. Conduct short research projects that build

knowledge through investigation of different aspects

of a topic.
W.4.8. Recall relevant information from experiences
or gather relevant information from print and digital
sources; take notes and categorize information, and
provide a list of sources.

W.4.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational

texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Research Project 1 _______________________________________________

Research Project 2 ______________________________________________

Literary Text Analysis ___________________________________________

Informational Text Analysis _____________________________________

Date

Score

4.W.1

Opinion Piece 1

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Your school is adding some new afterschool activities and clubs for
students. Pick an activity you think your school should have. Write a
letter to your principal to persuade him or her why your school should
have this afterschool activity or club. Be sure to state your opinion and
support it with reasons and information.
My Checklist:
My opinion was introduced clearly in the beginning.
I gave reasons to support my opinion that were supported by facts
and details.
I linked my opinion and reasons using words and phrases (for
instance, in order to, etc.).
My concluding statement is related to my opinion.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The opinion was introduced clearly in the beginning.
Reasons for the opinion were supported by facts and details.
Opinion and reason were linked using words and phrases (for
instance, in order, etc.).
The concluding statement is related to the opinion.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.1

Opinion Piece 1

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.1

Opinion Piece 1

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Opinion Piece 1

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Opinion Piece 2

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
One of the teachers at your school suggested installing snack and
soda machines in the lunchroom for students. The money made from
these machines would be used for school supplies. The snack
machines offer candy, chips, and baked goods. Students may use the
machines at lunch time or after school. Several parents have
complained that these foods are unhealthy. They do not want snack
machines in the lunchroom. Write a paper giving your opinion on the
snack machines. State whether you agree or disagree that snack and
soda machines should be in your schools lunchroom. Support your
opinion with reasons and information.
My Checklist:
My opinion was introduced clearly in the beginning.
I gave reasons to support my opinion that were supported by facts
and details.
I linked my opinion and reasons using words and phrases (for
instance, in order to, etc.).
My concluding statement is related to my opinion.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The opinion was introduced clearly in the beginning.
Reasons for the opinion were supported by facts and details.
Opinion and reason were linked using words and phrases (for
instance, in order, etc.).
The concluding statement is related to the opinion.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.1

Opinion Piece 2

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.1

Opinion Piece 2

4.W.1

Opinion Piece 2

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 1

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Your school is planning an outdoor field day. Your teacher has asked
you to suggest an activity or game that can be played during this
event. You will need to write a paper to explain the game and exactly
how it is played. Organize your paper to include details and examples
so that the reader can clearly understand the game or activity you
wrote about.
My Checklist:
My topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
I grouped related information in paragraphs and sections.
I linked ideas using words and phrases (for example, because, also, etc.)
I used interesting words to explain the topic.
My concluding statement is related to the information I wrote about.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
Related information was grouped in paragraphs and sections.
Ideas were linked using words and phrases (for example, because, etc.)
Interesting words were used to explain the topic.
Concluding statement is related to the information written about.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 1

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 1

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 1

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 2

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Your school has received some new computers. The principal has to
decide which classrooms to put them into. Write a paper explaining
why your classroom would benefit from new computers. Explain what
they would be used for and why your class should be chosen to
receive them. Include details and examples to clearly explain why the
principal should choose your class to receive the new computers.
My Checklist:
My topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
I grouped related information in paragraphs and sections.
I linked ideas using words and phrases (for example, because, also, etc.)
I used interesting words to explain the topic.
My concluding statement is related to the information I wrote about.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
Related information was grouped in paragraphs and sections.
Ideas were linked using words and phrases (for example, because, etc.)
Interesting words were used to explain the topic.
Concluding statement is related to the information written about.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 2

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 2

4.W.2

Informative/Explanatory Piece 2

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 1

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Pretend you woke up one day with a magical power. Write a story
about what happened. Include descriptive details and events to tell
the story about the day you had a magical power.

My Checklist:
My beginning introduced a situation and characters.
I organized events in a sequence.
I used dialogue and descriptions to develop the story.
I used transitional words and phrases to show the sequence of events.
I ended with a good conclusion that followed the events from the story.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The beginning introduced a situation and characters.
Events were organized in a sequence.
Dialogue and descriptions were included to develop the story.
Transitional words and phrases were used to show the sequence of events.
A good conclusion followed the events from the story.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 1

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 1

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 1

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 2

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Write about a time you were surprised. It could have been a surprise
party, or when you got something you were not expecting. It could be
when you planned something and it did not turn out the way you
thought it would. It could have been when someone came for a
surprise visit. Surprises can be funny, scary, or exciting. Include
descriptive details and a clear sequence of events to write about a
time you were surprised.
My Checklist:
My beginning introduced a situation and characters.
I organized events in a sequence.
I used dialogue and descriptions to develop the story.
I used transitional words and phrases to show the sequence of events.
I ended with a good conclusion that followed the events from the story.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The beginning introduced a situation and characters.
Events were organized in a sequence.
Dialogue and descriptions were included to develop the story.
Transitional words and phrases were used to show the sequence of events.
A good conclusion followed the events from the story.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 2

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 2

4.W.3

Narrative Piece 2

4.W.6

Writing with Technology

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Assignment:
Write about a topic you already know something about. Use what you
know about writing an informational piece.
You will need to:

Meet with the teacher to choose a topic

Plan and have your plan approved
Use the internet to locate information, quotations, and illustrations
Meet with the teacher and peers to edit and revise
Type the final piece
Share the final piece with peers

My Checklist:
I met with the teacher to choose my topic and have my plan approved.
I used the internet to locate information, quotations, and illustrations
I met with the teacher and my peers to edit and revise.
I typed the final piece.
I shared the final piece with my peers.

Signature: ______________________________
Teacher Notes:

*Attach typed piece

4.W.6

Writing with Technology

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.6

Writing with Technology

DRAFT

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Writing with Technology

4.W.9

Literary Text Analysis

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Describe in detail a specific character, the setting or a single event
from the story. Use details from the text such as a characters thoughts,
words or actions.
My Checklist:
My topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
I grouped related information in paragraphs and sections.
I linked ideas using words and phrases (for example, because, also, etc.)
I used interesting words to explain the topic.
My concluding statement is related to the information I wrote about.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
Related information was grouped in paragraphs and sections.
Ideas were linked using words and phrases (for example, because, etc.)
Interesting words were used to explain the topic.
Concluding statement is related to the information written about.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.9

Literary Text Analysis

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.9

Literary Text Analysis

4.W.9

Literary Text Analysis

4.W.9

Informational Text Analysis

Student Name: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Prompt:
Explain how the author used reasons and evidence to support his
belief that _______________________________________________________.

My Checklist:
My topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
I grouped related information in paragraphs and sections.
I linked ideas using words and phrases (for example, because, also, etc.)
I used interesting words to explain the topic.
My concluding statement is related to the information I wrote about.

Signature: ______________________________
My Peer Checklist:
The topic was introduced clearly in the beginning.
Related information was grouped in paragraphs and sections.
Ideas were linked using words and phrases (for example, because, etc.)
Interesting words were used to explain the topic.
Concluding statement is related to the information written about.

Signature: ______________________________

4.W.9

Informational Text Analysis

PLANNING PAGE

4.W.9

Informational Text Analysis

4.W.9

Informational Text Analysis