Both checklists and rubrics are important in today's classrooms. There are, however, significant differences as well as some confusion around these graphic organizers. As a teacher, you need to make sure to use checklists and rubrics in ways that support your teaching as well as student understanding. Below you will see one example that illustrates the difference between a checklist and a rubric.
Many more examples are available.
Please see the above checklist only states if the contents are present or not. Look at the rubric below to see how a checklist can grow into a rubric where you can describe the contents along a continuum. By using rubrics in your classroom, students should have a clearer understanding of what is expected and HOW to reach higher levels. Too small for everyone to have a piece of cake. Just the right size so that everyone can have a single slice.