ACCESS Writing Navigator Chart
Grade 5 ACCESS Test Family & Student Writing Guide
Organizing Written Responses
Student Name:
Goal: Level 4 or 5 (Confident Writer)
Parents' Quick Guide: What is ACCESS Writing?
Easy Home Guide
Every winter, English learners take the state ACCESS test. In 5th grade, students must write full paragraphs (not just single sentences) to describe an event, explain a topic, or share an opinion. Scorers look for three main things:
1. A Clear Structure
Like a sandwich: a clear beginning, middle details, and a strong conclusion.
2. "Bridge" Words
Transition words that guide the reader smoothly from one idea to the next.
3. Longer Sentences
Stretching simple sentences with details like why, where, and when.
1. Starting Strong: How to Begin the First Paragraph
Step 1: Introduction
When Explaining Facts (Information):
- • In this passage, the main idea is that...
- • An important fact to understand about [topic] is...
- • The author explains how [event] happened by...
When Sharing an Opinion / Perspective:
- • In my opinion, the best choice is [choice] because...
- • After reviewing the information, I believe that...
- • It is clear that people should [action] because...
2. Telling Things in Order
Time Words
- • To start with / First of all, the process begins when...
- • Shortly after this, the character / event...
- • While this was taking place, at the same time...
- • Finally / At the end of the process, the result is...
3. Adding Another Detail
Adding Ideas
- • In addition to this, another reason is that...
- • Furthermore, the text also mentions that...
- • Another helpful example of this is when...
- • Not only that, but it also shows that...
4. Showing Another Side
Contrasting
- • On the other hand, some people think that...
- • Unlike [Idea A], [Idea B] shows that...
- • Even though [Challenge occurred], they still...
- • In contrast to what was expected, the outcome was...
5. Finishing the Response
Conclusion
- • In conclusion, the facts clearly show that...
- • To sum everything up, the most important point is...
- • All of these reasons prove that...
- • As you can see from this response,...
FAMILY TIP
How to help at home: When your child finishes writing, ask: "Can you find your transition words? Did you use a starter to begin each paragraph?"
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Sentence Stretching Helping Students Write Longer, Smarter Sentences
Expanding Written Details
How Scores Go Up!
How One Sentence Grows: From Simple to High-Scoring
Teach your child to ask: When? Where? Why?
Short Sentence (Low Score)
"The wolf hunts elk."
Only 4 words – missing details
Stretched Sentence (Medium Score)
"During cold winter months, the wolf hunts elk across snowy forests."
Added When & Where
Expanded Sentence (Top Level 5 Score!)
"Because heavy snow makes finding food hard, wolves hunt together in packs so their pups can survive."
Added Why & Result
1. Explaining the "Why"
This happens because... Tells the reader the clear scientific or story reason.
Due to the fact that... A fancy way to say "because" that scorers love.
The main reason for this was... Explains why a person or animal made a choice.
Since [event] occurred... Connects what happened first to what happened next.
2. Pointing to the Proof
According to the picture/text... Shows the student read the prompt carefully.
For example, the author writes... Gives a specific detail or quote from the story.
As shown in the diagram... References maps, science diagrams, or charts.
One clear piece of evidence is... Backs up an opinion with a real fact.
3. Explaining "So What?"
This is important because... Explains to the reader why this fact matters.
As a result of this action... Shows what happened next because of this event.
Consequently, this leads to... A high-level transition showing a big result.
This helps the reader see that... Explains the deeper lesson or meaning.
Sentence Connecting Words (Words That Connect 2 Ideas)
Pick one to glue two ideas together
Reason Words
because, since, so that
Time Words
before, while, as soon as
Surprise / But Words
although, even though, however
Condition Words
if, unless, whenever
The 2-Minute Parent & Student Review (Check Together!) Try this when practicing at home:
Paragraphs: Did your child write at least 2 or 3 separate paragraphs?
Starters: Does each paragraph begin with a transition word?
Stretched: Did they explain why using words like because or since?
Punctuation: Does every sentence start with a capital & end with a period?
WIDA ACCESS Grade 5 Writing • Parent & Family Practice Reference Page 2 of 2
