World+War+II+DBQ

Throughout the year, students in my classes were taught how to write in response to DBQs that require students to analyze, interpret, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of primary and secondary sources. A document-based question, also known as data-based question, is an essay or series of short answer questions constructed by students using their own knowledge, combined with support from several provided sources. A DBQ is one part of the NYS assessment in social studies.
 * American History**

To review for the Intermediate Eighth Grade Social Studies Test in June, and practice how to write Document Based Questions, I had students write the World War II DBQ from the 2001 test. Students were asked to discuss four ways World War II affected American life at home. The paragraph that follows is an excerpt from an example student paper.

One of the impacts was that women started to have equal power, work and pay. The women finally got the satisfaction that they have been wanting for many decades in US history. When men were at war, women took the man’s place in factories and other places they could not have worked before. “We Can Do It!” represents that women should think that they could do whatever men can do and more. Rosie the Riveter said that. That was when men went to war, and women needed to replace the men in the jobs. The women mostly did all this to help the war. While they were at it, they got more rights on working. Women got way more opportunities to work in higher jobs such as supervisors and managers. If it weren’t for the women working for the war, the allies probably would never have won the war. Women got many great opportunities during World War II. (Doc. 1) In the paragraph the student provides level 3 evidence to support the impact that the war had on women. They mention that women took the place of soldiers who fought in the war and they also mention the responsibilities that women had. The level of thinking demonstrated by the student is at a level 3. In stating that women finally obtained satisfaction that they had been looking to gain for years, the student is making the judgment that WWII provided women with opportunities not previously obtainable by them. A conclusion drawn by making a connection from previous learned material. The student also justifies that the war may have been lost if it had not been for the efforts made by women. Consequently, the student is thinking at a level 3 because they generalize, judge, justify and draw conclusions.

A point must be made at this juncture. Although this student’s essay was rated to be a level 3 for evidence and thinking, there were errors in grammar and evidence. Moreover, the grade of level 3 was based on this student’s previous writings completed this year. There were better level three papers written by other students, but this paper represented this student’s best writing and thinking effort for the year.