A tenth grader would need to write coherent paragraphs in order to earn high marks. A rubric is a working guide for students and teachers, usually handed out before the assignment begins in order to get students to think about the criteria on which their work will be judged. A rubric enhances the quality of direct instruction. Once developed, they can be modified easily for various grade levels. The following rubric was created by a group of postgraduate education students at the University of San Francisco, but could be developed easily by a group of elementary students.
Many experts believe that rubrics improve students' end products and therefore increase learning.
When teachers evaluate papers or projects, they know implicitly what makes a good final product and why. When students receive rubrics beforehand, they understand how they will be evaluated and can prepare accordingly. Developing a grid and making it available as a tool for students' use will provide the scaffolding necessary to improve the quality of their work and increase their knowledge. Consider rubrics as part of your planning time, not as an additional time commitment to your preparation. Once a rubric is created, it can be used for a variety of activities.