Grade 7: “Santorio Santorio and the Thermometer”
Rating: 
Common Core Standards
Reading for Information
RI.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
RI.7.3 Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events).
RI.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RI.7.5 Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.
RI.7.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.
Writing
W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.7.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects
Reading for Information
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
RST.6-8.6 Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text
Description of Assessment
This Grade 7 mini-assessment titled “Santorio Santorio and the Thermometer” cited on achievethecore.org is intended to inform instruction about a student’s ability to engage in the close reading of a complex text to demonstrate deep understanding. Because the topic of the text is scientific, the mini-assessment measures Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects. In this mini-assessment there are seven text-dependent questions and one constructed-response writing prompt.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers are encouraged to give students as much time as needed for them to read closely and write to the source. The assessment materials state, “Because this text is complex in regard to organizational structure and knowledge demands, the vocabulary and sentence structure may be challenging but are still accessible to the average 7th grader. This mini-assessment may be most appropriate for advanced seventh graders early in the year, all seventh graders later in the year, or even 8th graders in their first semester.” It is strongly recommended that the writing prompt not be optional. Three additional Reading in Science & Technical Subjects standards are not listed in either the mini-assessment or on the "Question Annotations for Teachers" document, and they should be since they are assessed: RST.6-8.2 (Question #2), RST.6-8.4 (Question #2), and RST.6-8.5 (Question # 3).
Rationale for Selection
This mini-assessment is a good example of how to design text-dependent questions aligned to specific Common Core Standards for Science and Technical Subjects. An annotated Teacher’s Guide for the assessment gives a specific rationale for each answer option. There is an aligned rubric for evaluating the writing prompt as well as assessment guidelines. Information about determining text complexity (quantitative and qualitative data) is included with assessment materials. (“Santorio Santorio and the Thermometer” = Flesch-Kinkaid 10.1, Reading Maturity = 9.5)