Staying Safe in the Texas Heat — Informational Writing — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 5th Grade informative writing writing prompt.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet5th Grade · English · Informative WritingStaying Safe in the Texas Heat — Informational Writing — Answers
Plan
Plan one heading for each main idea before you write.
- ASummer is my favorite season.
- BBy drinking water, staying cool, and protecting your skin, you can enjoy a hot Texas summer safely.
- CSome days are hot and some days are not.
- DSwimming pools are fun.
Answer: By drinking water, staying cool, and protecting your skin, you can enjoy a hot Texas summer safely.
It tells the reader exactly what the whole article will explain.
Answer: Drink Up! Drink water often, even before you feel thirsty. Your body loses water when you sweat, and losing too much can cause dehydration.
Answer: Keep Cool. Play in the shade, take breaks indoors, and plan outdoor games for the morning or evening, when it is cooler than the afternoon.
Answer: Cover Up. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and loose, light-colored clothes. Light colors reflect sunlight, so they help you stay cooler.
Answer: dehydration: when your body does not have enough water; heat exhaustion: an illness from too much heat that can cause heavy sweating, dizziness, and a headache
Answer: Hot days do not have to stop the fun. Drink water, find shade, and cover up, and you will be ready for summer.
Write
Model answer: Beat the Heat! Have you ever stepped outside on a summer afternoon and felt like you walked into an oven? In much of Texas, summer temperatures often climb above 90°F. Heat like that can make you sick, but you can stay safe. By drinking water, staying cool, and protecting your skin, you can enjoy a hot Texas summer safely. Drink Up! When you play in the heat, your body sweats to cool down. Sweat is mostly water, so you need to replace it.
Success criteria:
- An introduction with a hook and a clear controlling idea
- Each section or paragraph covers one main idea
- Each tip is explained with a reason
- Precise vocabulary is used and explained for younger readers
- A conclusion sums up the main points
- Facts are accurate, with no made-up numbers
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.
Great work. Here's what to try next: