| | | | |

Nag THE AGGRESSOR

| | | | |

Nagaina THE STRATEGIST

| | | | |

Teddy THE PROTECTED

| | | |

Course: Grade 7 ELAR Page 2 of 2 Turn-in Component #1

| Curious and
1. ________ | His curiosity makes him explore, and his bravery helps him save 2. ________. | He chases Nagaina underground and makes the garden 3. ________. | |

Nag THE AGGRESSOR

| Mean and
4. ________ | He sneaks into the bathroom to 5. ________ the father. | His defeat shows that evil will not 6. ________. | |

Nagaina THE STRATEGIST

| Sneaky and
7. ________ | She tries to bite Teddy to get 8. ________ for Nag's death. | She is chased down her hole, which ends the 9. ________. | |

Teddy THE PROTECTED

| Kind and
10. ________ | His family rescues Rikki, which makes Rikki want to 11. ________ them. | He lives happily with Rikki, who is now his 12. ________. |

CHARACTER MATRIX WORD BANK:

• brave

• Teddy

• safe

• scary

• bite / attack

• win / rule

• angry / revengeful

• revenge

• snake threat

• loving

• protect

• pet / protector

Course: Grade 7 ELAR IEP Page 2 of 2 IEP Support Pack

LOC-03 Falling Action

What happens when Rikki emerges from the hole? How do other animals react?

Rikki emerges from the hole, declaring Nagaina is slain. Darzee stops his death song, and the entire garden birds and coots rejoice in victory.

LOC-04 Resolution

How is the garden's future secured? What is Rikki's role in the family?

The garden is officially secure and peaceful. Rikki stays with the family as their beloved protector, and no snakes dare enter the garden again.

Course: Grade 7 ELAR Page 1 of 2 (ANSWER KEY) Turn-in Component #1

Teacher Resource • Day 2 Focus Key

CHARACTER INFLUENCE KEY

How Character Qualities Drive the Events and Resolve the Garden Conflict (TEKS 7.7B)

EXEMPLAR DEPLOYMENT PHASE II KEY

Teacher Evaluation Standards: Ensure students draw direct connections between a character's core traits and specific plot outcomes. Award full credit for responses identifying the emotional/thematic stakes behind the characters' actions.

|

Curious, fearless, highly agile, and deeply loyal to his human family. Cannot be frightened.

|

His curiosity drives him to explore, leading him to discover the cobras' plans. His loyalty and bravery lead him to slay Karait and attack Nag.

|

His courage allows him to follow Nagaina down her hole to destroy the threat permanently.

| |

Nag THE AGGRESSOR

|

Arrogant, intimidating, dominant, but also fearful of Nagaina's pressure.

|

Eats Darzee's baby, starting the conflict. Attempts to ambush Teddy's father in the bathroom to rule the bungalow.

|

His death sets off Nagaina's grief-filled quest for revenge, sparking the climax.

| |

Nagaina THE STRATEGIST

|

Cunning, vengeful, strategic, and a fiercely protective mother of her unhatched eggs.

|

Formulates the plans for Nag's attack. Later attempts to assassinate Teddy's family on the veranda out of spite.

|

Her motherly love for her eggs allows Rikki to manipulate her, leading her to flee down the hole.

| |

Teddy THE PROTECTED

|

Innocent, kind, affectionate, and physically vulnerable to the garden's threats.

|

Rescues Rikki and feeds him, forming an emotional bond. Serves as the high stakes that trigger Rikki's defensive battles.

|

Teddy's survival represents the ultimate reward. The strong bond with Teddy is why Rikki risks his life.

|

Course: Grade 7 ELAR Page 2 of 2 (ANSWER KEY) Turn-in Component #1

Course: Grade 7 ELAR IEP Page 2 of 2 IEP Support Pack

REGULAR RESPONSE EXEMPlAR (Score 2)

Kipling uses intense foreshadowing and suspense during Rikki-Tikki's battle with Karait to build anxiety and hint at deadlier snake battles to come. The author establishes immense stakes by noting that Karait is so small and quick that his bite is "as dangerous as the cobra's." This comparison heightens the suspense because it is Rikki's first fight, and a single error could be fatal. The warning that "the boy was close to him" foreshadows the future, more perilous traps Nag and Nagaina will lay for the family.

Monitor: Check that students don't just summarize the fight, but explain the suspense.

IEP ACCOMMODATED EXEMPlAR (Score 2)

1. MY CLAIM (Answer) Kipling builds suspense by showing that Teddy is in immediate danger of being bitten by a tiny, deadly brown snake.

2. EVIDENCE (Quote) The story says Karait is "as dangerous as the cobra," and "the boy was close to him."

3. EXPLANATION (My Words) This makes the reader feel nervous because Rikki is small, the snake is hidden, and Teddy could die if Rikki makes one mistake.

Prompting: Ask, "Why does a tiny snake make you feel more scared for Teddy?"

Course: Grade 7 ELAR Guide Page 1 of 2 STAAR SCR Key Pack

Mongoose Mission • Grading & Evaluation

INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT KEY

Exemplars for Prompt 3 (YOU DO) & STAAR Scoring Calibration Rubric

SCORING RUBRIC STAAR ALIGNED

PROMPT 3 (YOU DO): Character Traits & Plot Resolution (TEKS 7.7B) Independent Grading Key

Regular Prompt: Explain how Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’s character qualities of curiosity and bravery influence the events of the plot and the final resolution of the conflict in the garden.
IEP Prompt: How do Rikki-Tikki's traits of curiosity and bravery help him protect the family in the garden?

REGULAR RESPONSE EXEMPlAR (Score 2)

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’s character qualities of curiosity and bravery directly drive the plot's rising action and lead to the final resolution of the garden conflict. Rikki’s intense curiosity leads him to explore the garden, which is how he first discovers the threat of Nag and Nagaina. When the conflict peaks, his bravery allows him to fight Nag and hunt Nagaina into her dark underground hole. Kipling describes Rikki as he "clutched Nagaina’s tail and went down with her" into the hole, an act of extreme bravery that "very few mongooses care to do." By conquering his fears and refusing to back down, Rikki's heroic traits resolve the conflict by permanently eliminating the snakes, securing absolute peace for the garden and the family.

Grading: Score 2 requires BOTH traits referenced, text evidence, and analysis of resolution.

IEP ACCOMMODATED EXEMPlAR (Score 2)

CLAIM: My Answer Rikki-Tikki's traits of curiosity and bravery help him protect the family by causing him to explore every danger in the garden and fight the cobras until they are gone.

EVIDENCE: My Text Quote In the story, the text says, "He was a mongoose, and he wanted to know everything," and later he "clutched Nagaina's tail" to go into her hole.

EXPLANATION: My Connection This quote shows that his traits are helpful because his curiosity helps him find where the snakes are hiding, and his bravery lets him defeat them in their own home.

IEP Criteria: Verify student filled in all 3 chunked blocks correctly.

STAAR Scoring Calibration & Common Pitfalls

Score Point 2 (Complete)

• Clear, direct claim that answers all parts of the prompt.
• Relevant quote integrated with context, not "dropped."
• Analytical connection shows how evidence proves the claim.

Score Point 1 (Partial)

• Has a reasonable claim, but quote is missing or irrelevant.
• Has a quote, but does not explain how it connects to the claim.
• Just repeats the prompt as the claim without actually answering it.

Common Student Pitfalls

• Dropped Quote: Dropping a quote into a sentence without an anchor (e.g., "Rikki is brave. 'He clutched Nagaina's tail.' This shows...").
• No Evidence: Explaining the story in general without quoting.

Rapid-Fire Feedback Stems (Write these directly on student papers):

To lift a Score Point 1 to a 2:

• "Where is your text evidence? Use a direct quote from the story."
• "Now explain *how* this quote proves your claim. Add a sentence starting with 'This reveals...'"
• "Integrate your quote! Try starting with: Kipling writes, '...'"

To help struggling writers / IEP:

• "Read your claim aloud. Does it answer *both* traits?"
• "Double check: Did you use quotation marks around your text evidence?"
• "Let's trace: Point to your Claim, your Quote, and your Connection. Are all 3 there?"

Course: Grade 7 ELAR Guide Page 2 of 2 STAAR SCR Key Pack

MONGOOSE MISSION: WEAPONRY PHASE 3: THE EXPLANATION

E Explain the Intel

The explanation is your analytical core. Prove how and why your quote directly supports your claim.

Analytical Verbs to Deploy:

...illustrates... ...underscores... ...highlights...

Simple Summary

"This shows he is very brave and fights."

Defect: Just repeats the claim.

Deep Analysis

"This underscores that Rikki-Tikki is biologically driven to shield his family."

Success: Connects quote to trait and role.

CONNECT THE DOTS SLIDE 05/07

MONGOOSE MISSION: COMBAT PRACTICE COHORT DRILL (WE DO)

The Target Prompt

Explain how Rikki-Tikki’s actions in the garden reveal his character traits.

C: CLAIM

"Rikki-Tikki's choice to patrol the garden reveals his protective nature."

E: EVIDENCE

He declares, "the garden’s mine, and I’m going to stay."

E: EXPLANATION

Let's build this together! How does declaring ownership show bravery?

DRILL AND REFINE SLIDE 06/07

MONGOOSE MISSION: EVALUATION SOLO SKIRMISH (YOU DO)

Live Combat Prompt

Explain how Nag’s character drives the conflict in the story.

Open your STAAR SCR Response Suite. Use the tactical battlefield map we created earlier to choose your evidence and construct your solo response.

Victory Checklist

• 1

  Assertive Claim

  Does it restate the prompt and declare Nag's key motivation?

• 2

  Integrated Evidence

  Is your quote wrapped in context with correct quotation marks?

• 3

  Strategic Explanation

  Did you explain how his actions force Rikki-Tikki to act?

COMMENCE INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS SLIDE 07/07

C. These tiny predators possess lightning-fast reflexes although they can dodge a striking cobra's fangs with ease.

D. These tiny predators possess lightning-fast reflexes; they can dodge a striking cobra's fangs with ease.

QUESTION 2 • EDITING (7.10D)

Sentence 2 in Passage A is currently a fragment. What is the correct way to rewrite this sentence?

A. Because they have thick fur and specialized acetylcholine receptors, these biological traits make them highly resistant to snake venom.

B. They have thick fur and specialized acetylcholine receptors. Which makes them highly resistant to snake venom.

C. They have thick fur and specialized acetylcholine receptors, making them highly resistant to snake venom.

D. Having thick fur and specialized acetylcholine receptors, and they are highly resistant to snake venom.

QUESTION 3 • EDITING (7.10D)

What is the correct way to rewrite sentence 3 in Passage A to correct the run-on sentence?

A. A mongoose will often provoke a cobra into striking repeatedly. This exhausting tactical maneuver drains the snake's energy until the mongoose can secure a decisive victory.

B. A mongoose will often provoke a cobra into striking repeatedly, because this exhausting tactical maneuver drains the snake's energy, until victory is secured.

C. A mongoose will often provoke a cobra into striking repeatedly, this exhausting tactical maneuver drains the snake's energy, so they secure a decisive victory.

D. A mongoose will often provoke a cobra into striking repeatedly; and this exhausting tactical maneuver drains energy.

QUESTION 4 • REVISING (7.10C)

In sentence 4 of Passage A, the student wants to replace the word "happy" with a more precise and academic word. Which word best fits this context?

A. excited

B. relieved

C. emotional

D. friendly

QUESTION 5 • EDITING (7.10D)

What is the best way to correct sentence 5 in Passage B to fix the run-on sentence?

A. In contrast to the agile mongoose, Indian cobras are silent and stealthy predators. They occupy the dark, damp corners of houses and gardens.

B. In contrast to the agile mongoose, Indian cobras are silent and stealthy predators who occupy the dark damp corners of houses, and gardens.

C. In contrast to the agile mongoose. Indian cobras are silent and stealthy predators that occupy dark damp corners.

D. Indian cobras are silent and stealthy predators; they occupy dark, damp corners, in contrast to the agile mongoose.

QUESTION 6 • REVISING (7.10C)

The transition word "Likewise" in sentence 6 of Passage B does not create a logical connection. Which word or phrase should replace "Likewise"?

A. For example

B. Furthermore

C. On the other hand

D. Consequently

Course: Grade 7 ELAR Page 2 of 2 Turn-in Component #3

QUESTION 3 • EDITING (7.10D)

What is the correct way to fix sentence 3 in Passage A?

A. A mongoose will make a cobra strike many times. This exhausts the snake until the mongoose wins.

B. A mongoose will make a cobra strike many times, this exhausts the snake, so the mongoose wins.

C. A mongoose will make a cobra strike many times; and this exhausts the snake.

QUESTION 4 • REVISING (7.10C)

In sentence 4 of Passage A, what is a more precise and academic word to replace the word "happy"?

A. excited

B. relieved

C. friendly

QUESTION 5 • EDITING (7.10D)

What is the best way to correct the run-on sentence 5 in Passage B?

A. Indian cobras are quiet and sneaky hunters. They live in dark and damp places.

B. Indian cobras are quiet and sneaky hunters that live in dark and damp places.

C. In contrast to the mongoose, cobras are quiet. They live in dark damp places.

QUESTION 6 • REVISING (7.10C)

The transition word "Likewise" in sentence 6 of Passage B does not fit. Which word should replace it?

A. For example

B. On the other hand

C. Consequently

Course: Grade 7 ELAR IEP Page 2 of 2 IEP Support Pack

Sequence: Mongoose Mission Page 1 of 2 Teacher Keys & Guides

Teacher Resource • Grade 7 ELAR

EXEMPLARY STAAR SCR RESPONSES

Score Point 2 Model Answers & Annotations for Wednesday's Suite

STAAR GRADING STANDARDS SCORE: 2 / 2

PROMPT 1 KEY • Author's Purpose (7.9A) • Standard / IEP

CLAIM: Rudyard Kipling's primary purpose for writing "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" is to convey a central message that true courage, rather than size or background, secures protection and triumph over fear. EVIDENCE: When facing Nag, Kipling writes that Rikki "was very grass-growingly afraid" but knew that if he did not fight, the family would die. EXPLANATION: By showcasing a tiny, trembling mongoose standing firm against giant cobras, Kipling emphasizes that bravery is defined by a dedication to protecting others, teaching young readers that heroism is an act of will rather than physical superiority.

PROMPT 2 KEY • Plot Elements & Suspense (7.7C) • Standard / IEP

CLAIM: Kipling uses suspense and foreshadowing during Rikki's confrontation with Karait to establish the lethal stakes and advance the narrative toward larger snake battles. EVIDENCE: Kipling describes Karait as a "dusty brown snakeling" whose bite is as deadly as a cobra's, noting Rikki's "eyes grew red" as he danced in for the kill. EXPLANATION: This scene creates intense suspense because Teddy is in immediate, mortal danger. By demonstrating Rikki's victory over a minor yet highly lethal opponent, Kipling foreshadows Rikki's capabilities, priming the reader for the inevitable, higher-stakes clashes with Nag and Nagaina.

PROMPT 3 KEY • Character Qualities (7.7B) • Standard / IEP

CLAIM: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi’s unique qualities of tireless curiosity and unyielding bravery directly initiate critical plot actions and drive the conflict's final resolution. EVIDENCE: His curiosity leads him to explore the bungalow garden and discover the cobras' plans, while his courage is demonstrated when he "grasped Nagaina's tail" and followed her down into her dark hole. EXPLANATION: Without Rikki's curiosity, the cobras' bathroom ambush would have succeeded. Furthermore, his raw bravery in chasing Nagaina underground—a boundary where mongooses usually refuse to hunt—directly resolves the garden conflict, ensuring the cobras are defeated forever and the home is made permanently safe.

Sequence: Mongoose Mission Page 2 of 2 Teacher Keys & Guides

Teacher Delivery Guidelines:

Allow students to use a highlighter to mark punctuation marks or conjunctions in the isolated boxes before looking at options.

Co-Teaching Tip: Read passage paragraphs aloud to the small group, pausing to clarify key vocabulary in context before attempting the questions.

Sequence: Mongoose Mission Page 1 of 2 IEP Support Strategy

Teacher Support • Grade 7 ELAR

IEP SCORING & KEYS

Targeted Evaluation Protocols & Accommodated Key Specifications

STAAR EQUIVALENCY GRADING PROTOCOLS

Chunked SCR Grading Rubric (STAAR Equivalency)

To award full credit (Score Point 2) on the IEP SCR, students must complete each of the three isolated fields correctly using the guiding prompts. Spelling, capitalization, and minor mechanical errors should be ignored unless they completely obscure meaning.

Isolated IEP Answer Solutions & Rationales

Lesson 2: Character Matrix Fill-Ins

Rikki-Tikki: Trait: brave | Story Influence: He keeps Teddy and his family safe.

Nag: Trait: scary | Story Influence: He tries to bite/attack the family to win/rule the garden.

Nagaina: Trait: vengeful | Story Influence: She seeks revenge for Nag's death, creating a major threat.

Teddy: Trait: loving | Story Influence: He helps protect Rikki and treats him as a pet/companion.

Accept synonymous terms (e.g., "fearless" for brave; "scared" for scary) that demonstrate context understanding.

Lesson 4: Revising & Editing IEP Key

Q1: Option B

Combines short sentences using "Since." Simple layout isolates the correct causal connector.

Q2: Option A

Corrects a fragment. Modified options omit convoluted choices, isolating the target subject-verb link.

Q3: Option A

Resolves a run-on. The isolated sentence makes the comma splice visibly distinct for the student.

Q4: Option B

Word choice modification. Student selects "relieved." Standard distractor "content" is omitted.

Q5: Option A

Identifies run-on correction. IEP text has shortened sentence lengths to emphasize capitalization.

Q6: Option A

Transition choice "For example." Distractors are restricted to highly contrastive, non-causal transitions.

IEP Accommodations Tracking Log (Co-Teaching Standard) During portfolio collection, verify that:

• Oral Reading Assistance was logged for students requiring read-aloud support.
• Extended Time (1.5x/2x) was granted if the portfolio was turned in after the Thursday block.
• Graphic Organizer Mastery was marked on the Friday checklist to support future progress meetings.

Sequence: Mongoose Mission Page 2 of 2 IEP Support Strategy