The Association Committees of Safety enforced boycotts created by Congress under The Association.
George Washington Appointed commander of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.
pursuit of happiness Jefferson listed rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Teacher Guide: Chapter 3 Assessment Turn to Page 2 for 8th-Grade Part 3 Rubrics & Exemplars → Page 1 of 2
Part 3: 8th-Grade Short Response Rubric & Model Answers Scoring Guidelines • 4 Points Per Prompt
Exemplary (4 Pts)
Answers both parts clearly; gives 2+ accurate historical facts; 3–5 complete sentences.
Proficient (3 Pts)
Answers both parts; includes at least 1 accurate fact; minor lack of detail or brief phrasing.
Developing (2 Pts)
Only answers one part of prompt; relies on general statements without specific evidence.
Minimal (1 Pts)
Incomplete; off-topic; demonstrates little to no historical understanding of the unit.
8th-Grade Benchmark
What to Look For: (1) Names at least two protest methods (e.g., mob attacks, burning effigies, tarring tax collectors, Boston Tea Party, boycotting British tea/clothes). (2) Explains how Committees of Safety enforced boycotts (e.g., checked merchant shops, posted names of rule-breakers, threatened or pressured people who bought British goods).
8th-Grade Model Student Answer:
"Colonists protested British taxes in several ways. Groups like the Sons of Liberty held violent street protests, hung fake dolls of tax collectors in trees, and dumped British tea into Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party. Colonists also agreed to boycott British goods by refusing to buy British cloth and tea. To make sure everyone followed the boycott, local Committees of Safety inspected shops and published the names of merchants who kept selling British items. They used peer pressure and threats so no one broke the rules."
8th-Grade Benchmark
What to Look For: (1) Explains why Jefferson used "pursuit of happiness" instead of "property" (e.g., happiness applies to all people, not just wealthy landowners; freedom to live a good life; avoiding fights over owning property/enslaved people). (2) Identifies the main job of government according to the Declaration (to protect people's natural rights, and that government gets its power from the consent of the people).
8th-Grade Model Student Answer:
"Thomas Jefferson likely changed 'property' to 'the pursuit of happiness' because he wanted the rights to sound broader and include every person's chance to live a good and fulfilling life, not just people who owned land. According to the Declaration of Independence, the main job of government is to protect people's natural rights to life, liberty, and happiness. If a government fails to protect these rights and abuses its power, the people have the right to change or replace it."
Teacher Guide: Chapter 3 Assessment End of Answer Key & Scoring Guide Page 2 of 2
