Reflecting on Rochester

All students at GCCS must write a Passage Portfolio Reflection in sixth grade called “Reflecting on Rochester”. This reflection must answer the question, “How has Rochester changed over time?” They need to choose a factor (such as the Erie Canal) to analyze cause/ effect relationships that have brought Rochester to the present day. This reflection is evaluated by GCCS staff members using a standardized rubric to determine the effectiveness and clarity of their claim. This written piece embraces all facets of our claim. As Genesee sixth-graders prepare to “go forth into the world,” this written reflection is an opportunity for students to synthesize their content knowledge of Rochester's history AND apply robust communication and critical thinking skills.

In the 2017-18 school year, the written prompts were revised to be more closely aligned with our school’s mission and with the EL Education’s emphasis on high-quality work - in particular, the mastery of knowledge and skills.

The materials on this page include sample Reflecting on Rochester (and its predecessor, History of Rochester) student essays, scoring tools, and planning materials. Additionally, a teacher reflection on the roll-out of the new prompt and scoring tools is included to provide additional context.