Check Sheets, Scoring Guides, and Rubrics, Oh, My! Using grids to improve writing and reduce grading time
Key Points for Each Assignment Start with the learning outcomes for the assignment. Create a rubric or scoring guide to outline your expectations Define the process students should follow Provide a check sheet for each stage of the process based on the rubric for students to follow
Scoring Guide Basics Criteria-based Value-based Customized to each assignment Sampled with students
Criteria-Based Scoring Guide Select student learning outcomes for the assignment – Uses MLA documentation correctly Parenthetical citations Correct information Works Cited list Punctuation
Value-Based Scoring Guide Categories of quality Range Description - Exceptional/Satisfactory/Needs Improvement/Unacceptable --Exceeds expectations/Meets Expectations/Does not meet expectations --Excellent/Good/Poor --Expert/Emerging/Novice/No evidence --Above Average/Average/Below Average Strong/Adequate/Weak
MLA Documentation ExcellentAdequatePoor In-Text Citations Correct format Works Cited list Punctuation
Customize to Each Assignment Purpose Length Audience Complexity Research required
Sample with Students Provide rubric to students and explain. Provide samples of student attempts at the assignment (three of differing quality) Small group reading aloud of each sample Small group discussion to find consensus of each samples value according to the rubric then ranking them Full class exchange of findings Have students create a check sheet based on this exercise
Grade with the Scoring Guide Use the same rubric your students saw. Copy the grid for each student assignment (which may be electronic) Fill out the grid according to your evaluation. Provide a space for comments and specific directives for improvement. Save completed grids with comments in each class folder for future reference and term grading.
Resources rubrics.kon.org scoop.it/rubrics-assessment Bean, John. Engaging Ideas: The Professors Guide to Integrating Writing, Critical Thinking, and Active Learning in the Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Stevens, Dannelle D. Introduction to Rubrics: An Assessment Tool to Save Grading Time, Convey Effective Feedback, and Promote Student Learning. Sterling, VA: Stylus, 2012.