Make Your Mark Worksheet
Make Your Mark
Dot Day Discovery
Standard N.C. RI.2.2 • Main Topic & Paragraph Focus
Name:
Date:
Read the Informational Text
Celebrating Dot Day
1
Dot Day began with an inspiring story called The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. In the book, a girl named Vashti sits in art class believing she cannot draw. Her teacher gently tells her to make a mark and see where it goes. Vashti draws one simple dot. Soon, she tries painting big dots, tiny dots, and dots of every color!
2
Today, millions of students around the world celebrate International Dot Day every September. Children wear polka dots and create colorful dot art. Whole classrooms paint banners, build dot sculptures, and share their artwork online with schools in other countries. It is a joyful day filled with imagination.
3
Most of all, Dot Day teaches kids to be brave and try new things. Vashti learned that anyone can be an artist if they just begin. Dot Day reminds every student that they can make their own mark on the world and encourage their friends to do the same.
1
Main Topic of the Whole Text
(What is the entire passage mostly about?)
Fill in the circle next to the best choice:
A. How to paint different sized circles with watercolor paints. B. Why schools celebrate Dot Day and how it encourages kids to be creative. C. The reason Vashti’s teacher hung up a gold picture frame in her room.
2
Paragraph Focus Detective
(Match each paragraph with what it is mostly about)
Write the paragraph number (1, 2, or 3) on the line next to its focus:
Paragraph
Explains how students and schools celebrate Dot Day with fun art activities today.
Paragraph
Shares the big message that anyone can be brave, try new things, and make a mark.
Paragraph
Tells how the book The Dot started with Vashti making her very first mark.
3
Using Text Evidence
Look back at Paragraph 3. What is one important lesson Dot Day teaches students? Answer in a complete sentence using words from the text:
Dot Detective Checklist:
Found Main Topic Matched Paragraphs Used Text Evidence
N.C. RI.2.2
Make Your Mark Answer Key
Make Your Mark
Teacher Answer Key
Standard N.C. RI.2.2 • Evaluation & Scoring Guide
Grade 2 • Informational Text
N.C. Standard RI.2.2: Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs.
Total: 6 Points
1
Main Topic of the Whole Text (1 Point)
Correct: Option B
B. Why schools celebrate Dot Day and how it encourages kids to be creative.
Teacher Rationale: The entire text weaves together the book's background, global school celebrations, and the message of artistic courage.
Distractor Analysis: Option A is too narrow (a detail from art class). Option C is a minor story detail from Reynolds' book, not the subject of this 3-paragraph article.
2
Paragraph Focus Detective (3 Points — 1 pt each)
Correct Order: 2, 3, 1
2 Explains how students and schools celebrate Dot Day with fun art activities today.
Current worldwide traditions
3 Shares the big message that anyone can be brave, try new things, and make a mark.
Moral / Core purpose
1 Tells how the book The Dot started with Vashti making her very first mark.
Origin / Book background
3
Text Evidence Constructed Response (2 Points)
Paragraph 3 Evidence
Prompt: What is one important lesson Dot Day teaches students? Answer in a complete sentence using words from the text.
Exemplar 1 (Full 2 pts)
"Dot Day teaches kids to be brave, try new things, and make their own mark on the world."
Exemplar 2 (Full 2 pts)
"The text says anyone can be an artist if they just begin and make a mark."
2 Points (Proficient) Complete sentence with direct text evidence from Paragraph 3 (being brave, trying new things, making a mark).
1 Point (Developing) Identifies the lesson but writes an incomplete sentence or relies solely on prior knowledge without text words.
0 Points (Novice) Incorrect information, off-topic, or no attempt made.
Instructional Pacing & Next Steps:
• Support: Have students highlight the first sentence of each paragraph to check for topic clues. • Extend: Ask students to write how they will "make their mark" at school this week.
NC RI.2.2 Mastery
