Lesson 42 Teacher Guide & Scoring Rubric
Teacher Key
Memory Transcription (Serl/Mason Pedagogy): Training the child to mentally hold an entire grammatical sentence—including dialogue markers and contractions—fosters internalized grammar and spelling reflexes.
Standards Addressed: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1 (Key Details & Characters), L.2.2.C (Apostrophes in contractions), L.2.2 (Quotation marks in dialogue), W.2.8 (Recalling information from experience).
Section 1: Story Comprehension & Sequence
1. Discovery: A bird's nest with two pretty eggs in it (or a nest with two eggs).
2. Bird Reaction: They flew around her head, making loud cries.
3. Mary's Kindness: She promised not to touch their nest and told them not to be afraid.
Section 2: Contractions & Punctuation Detective
A. Contractions: Don't = Do not | I'll = I will (or I shall).
B. Direct Address: Because Mary is speaking directly to the little birds (or birds).
C. Quotation Boundaries: Underline: Don't be afraid, little birds, I'll not touch your nest.
Section 3: Transcription & Memory Writing
Expected Student Reproduction: Mary said, “Don't be afraid, little birds, I'll not touch your nest.”
• Check capital M and comma after said.
• Opening quote before Don't, capital D, apostrophe in Don't.
• Commas framing direct address: ...afraid, little birds, ...
• Contraction apostrophe in I'll; capital I.
• Terminal period inside closing quotation mark: nest.”
Section 4: Caring for Nature Pledge (Sample Answers)
• I said, “Eat some nuts, little squirrel, I will not scare you.”
• I said, “Hop safely into the grass, gentle bunny.”
Accept any thoughtful sentence featuring quotation marks and direct address.
• Contraction Apostrophe vs. Possessive: Point out that the apostrophe in bird's nest shows ownership, while in Don't and I'll it indicates missing letters (o in not, wi in will).
• Direct Address Commas: Students frequently drop the second comma in little birds,. Remind them that terms of direct address are set off on both sides.
• Punctuation Enclosure: Verify that the period is placed inside the closing quotation marks (nest.” not nest”.).
| Evaluation Metric |
Exemplary (5 Pts) |
Proficient (3-4 Pts) |
Developing (1-2 Pts) |
| Comprehension & Recall |
Demonstrates complete grasp of narrative sequence and details; full sentences. |
Understands main story events; 1 minor detail omitted or brief answers. |
Misidentifies key narrative elements or confuses Mary's actions. |
| Contraction Mechanics |
Expands Don't and I'll accurately; places apostrophes in correct letter gaps. |
Expands 1 contraction correctly; understands apostrophe indicates omission. |
Confuses contractions with plurals or omits apostrophes entirely. |
| Quotation & Address |
Masterfully places quotation marks, introductory comma, and direct address commas. |
Quotation marks present; 1 minor error with internal commas or period placement. |
Fails to enclose dialogue with quotation marks; omits direct address commas. |
| Memory & Application |
Writes Mary's spoken words from memory accurately; creates an inspiring pledge. |
Reproduces memory sentence with minor prompt; creates a valid pledge. |
Requires full visual prompt; pledge lacks quotation marks or completeness. |