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"So far, I love rubrics!"
I just began using rubrics this year in my 7th grade Social Studies class.
So far, I love them! It gives the students a solid idea of what to shoot
for when completing the assignment. I usually go over the rubric with them
before they begin the assignment, so that there is no doubt about what I
will be expecting. I also give the opportunity to add or make any comments
on the rubric (they're not too good at this yet, they still prefer to have
me tell them what to do). Then, when it is time to hand the assignment in,
they score themselves first using the rubric.
This process really forces them to consider whether or not they have fully
completed the assignment. There are still lots of kinks I'm working out,
but so far so good.
Kara Staunton
Reid Middle School
Pittsfield, MA
[At the end of the school year, we asked Kara if she would update her comments.
Here's what she sent us: ]
After reading my thoughts then, I must say they haven't changed all that
much. I am still thrilled with rubrics. My students seem to really like
them as well. It gives them a clear understanding of what a "good"
product looks like. However, they still aren't very adept at creating their
own, and like to have the directive for that from me. In terms of correcting
for me, the rubric makes it easy, there are no grays as to what is a B and
what is an A. I added in a section where the class also scored a group or
an individual on their work and averaged that in along with the self score
and my score and that worked really well. The students like feeling as if
they have a voice. And surprisingly, they are harder graders than I am!
Kara Staunton
June 1997
Teachers interested in using rubrics should
locate the January 1997 issue of
ASCD's Educational Leadership for lots of useful information.
And don't miss these stories on MiddleWeb:
The Flood of 97
Teacher Talk about rubrics and student work
New ways of testing and grading
Just what is a rubric?
A problem-of-the-week math rubric
And you can Ask Dr. Rubric!