rubric gallery

Students will prepare a power point or prezi to analyze a literary genre and 5 texts in that genre. Students will also write an example of their genre, a reflection on the project, and a bibliography. Students are required to hand in this self-graded rubric with their typed story on Monday, December 15.

Grade 8 students will create a 15 page ibook for grade 5 students based on the information learned about the Holocaust. The goal is that the 8th grade students will deepen their understanding of the Holocaust by finding an effective and appropriate means to communicate this event in history utilizing narration, illustration, fable, allegory, poetry, quotations and other literary techniques studied and practiced in class.

Students will research and write a five-paragraph essay on a scientist integral to the development of the atomic theory. The first paragraph will be the introduction; the second paragraph will explain the scientist's early life and how he/she became interested in becoming a scientist; the third paragraph will explain education and research; the fourth will detail his/her influences on atomic theory; the fifth paragraph will be the conclusion. The essay will be perfectly edited.

Write a 2-5 page personal narrative about an event that has happened to you in the last year. Use the writing techniques we have studied in class, and follow a narrative progression including exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution. Type or neatly hand write your first draft, and type your final draft. Be sure to edit for spelling, grammar, mechanics and usage. Self-grade your writing on this rubric and hand in with your first draft. Hand in rubric and first draft with your final draft.

Students will write a play with at least 2 acts and at least 3 characters. Play will include: a clear setting; a clear beginning, middle and end (including exposition, climax and denouement); dialogue specific to each character; and a sympathetic protagonist who experiences a compelling conflict/resolution and changes as a result of his or her experience.

Students are given headbands with a vocabulary word. They are instructed to walk around the room and quiz all other students on the definition of their word, part of speech, and ask them to use the word correctly in a sentence.

Student groups will produce a 2-4 minute persuasive video on their sustainability topic: composting, algae biofuel or anaerobic digestion/methane production. Student groups will begin with a neatly illustrated storyboard, planning an effective beginning, middle and end, while contributing positively to the group and using time productively (100 points). Next, students will write a script that demonstrates proficient persuasive writing techniques (see script section of rubric). The video will incorporate information from the group's experiment and additional research to explain the importance of the technology, as well as suggesting ideas to implement it on a school-wide scale (100 points). Finally, student groups will film and edit their video which will include a variety of shots, angles and effects (100 points). Due dates to be determined by Miss Kim as project progresses.

Students will read two books of at least 200 pages each, written by the same author but not in the same series, and present a 5-paragraph report comparing and contrasting the books. The first paragraph will be the introduction, the second paragraph will explore the similarities between the books, the third paragraph will explain how the books are different, the fourth will explain which book is better and why, and the fifth paragraph will be the conclusion. Students will have an extra typed copy to be projected on the board during the presentation, or 10 points will be deducted from the final grade. 10 points will be deducted if this self-graded rubric is not turned in with the presentation. Due date: May 29, 2012.

Students will read a fictional book of at least 200 pages published before 1970, and present a 4-paragraph report on the book. The first paragraph will be the introduction, the second paragraph will explore the textual evidence of the time period the book was written and explain how the world has changed since the writing of the book, the third will explain the elements of the book that remain timeless, and the fourth paragraph will be the conclusion. Students will have an extra typed copy to be projected on the board during the presentation, or 10 points will be deducted from the final grade. 10 points will be deducted if this self-graded rubric is not turned in with the presentation. Due date: May 8, 2012.

Student groups will produce a 2 minute commercial advertising an existing green product. Student groups will begin with a neatly illustrated storyboard, planning an effective beginning, middle and end, while contributing positively to the group, and using time productively (100 points). Next, students will write a script that demonstrates: an effective hook and conclusion; focus on target audience; use of visual/auditory persuasive techniques; logical organization with clear transitions connecting main points; appropriate tone; pacing that keeps viewer attention; perfect editing with detailed stage directions; 'green' aspects of product; evident research (100 points). Finally, student groups will perform their commercials (100 points).

Students will give a short presentation (typed in power point or another presentation software) to the class on their nonfiction book of at least 150 pages. Students will start with a 4-sentence summary which begins with a topic sentence. Students will then demonstrate understanding of the terms studied in class, explaining the author's purpose, text type (expository, narrative, persuasive or technical) overall text structure, and giving examples (with page numbers or scans) of any text features (boldface, maps, glossary, diagram etc). Students will also find examples in the text of problem/solution, cause/effect, description, compare/contrast, question/answer, and sequence. Students are required to bring their book and hand in this self-graded rubric before their presentation on Tuesday, March 27. 10 points will be deducted for students who do not hand in this rubric before their presentation, or do not have their books with them for the presentation.

Students will give a short, 5-paragraph presentation to the class examining the role of nature in one of the approved books (see book list). The first paragraph will be the introduction containing an appropriate hook, author and title of the book, and the thesis statement. The second, third and fourth paragraphs will support the thesis statement, and include topic sentences, properly cited textual evidence and effective transitions. The fifth paragraph will be the conclusion, restating the thesis and ending with a 'so what?' statement. Students are required to have an extra typed copy of their report to project on the board during their presentation, and hand in this self-graded rubric before their presentation on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. 10 points will be deducted for students who do not have a typed copy or this rubric.

Students will read a book of at least 200 pages at or above their lexile level. Then, students will create a Facebook page on www.farcebook.us for a chosen character from their book, demonstrating understanding of the character. Profile will be neat and complete, with multiple pictures. *20 extra credit points and automatic approval for Rick Riordan's "The Red Pyramid" or "Throne of Fire".

Students will research and write a five-paragraph essay on an astronaut, with a bibliography on a separate page, and produce an ebook using Pages. The first paragraph will be the introduction; the second paragraph will explain the astronaut's early life and how he/she became interested in being an astronaut; the third paragraph will explain training and preparation; the fourth will detail his/her mission; and the fifth paragraph will be the conclusion. Research will be properly cited. The work will include embedded pictures, videos, audio, etc. The essay will also be perfectly edited. 10 points will be deducted if this self-graded rubric is not turned in with the final project. Projects will be presented in class January 31, 2012.

Students will give a short presentation to the class on their reading book of at least 200 pages that has a lexile level within their range. Students will demonstrate understanding of plot and theme in a three-paragraph essay. The presentation will begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion, and demonstrate understanding of the terms studied in class, discussing point of view, genre, and explaining elements of plot structure including conflict, exposition, inciting force, rising action, crisis, climax, falling action, and resolution. Students will explain if the text begins 'in medias res' or 'ab ovo', uses foreshadowing, makes use of flashbacks, or follows a completely linear time line. Students are required to hand in this self-graded rubric before their oral presentation on Tuesday, December 13, and have a typed copy of their presentation to hand in. 10 points will be deducted for students who do not have this rubric or a typed copy of their presentation.

Students will read a book of at least 200 pages that may be above but not more than 50 points below their lexile level. Complete the book review template as follows: rate the book by the number of stars and color these in, fill in your name, the lexile level of the book you read, title, author, genre, number of pages, and your recommendation. Then list 5 new words you learned on the back. Give the definition of the word, copy the sentence it was in, and note the page number on which the word was found.

Students will give a short presentation to the class on their reading book of at least 300 pages, including bibliographic information in correct MLA format on a note card. Students will also demonstrate understanding of the terms studied in class, explaining author's purpose, audience, genre, point of view, protagonist(s), antagonist(s), setting, conflict(s), and an example of sensory imagery and figurative language (copy the phrases and cite page numbers). Students will list 5 new words learned from the book along with definitions and context, choosing one to share with the class. Finally, students will explain a personal, textual or world connection, and why they would or wouldn't recommend the book to other students. Students will bring their book and a self-graded copy of this rubric on the day of the presentation.

Student groups will produce a 2-4 minute commercial advertising a green product. Student groups will begin with a neatly illustrated storyboard, planning an effective beginning, middle and end, while contributing positively to the group, and using time productively (100 points). Next, students will write a script that demonstrates: an effective hook and conclusion; focus on target audience; use of visual/auditory persuasive techniques; logical organization with clear transitions connecting main points; appropriate tone; pacing that keeps viewer attention; perfect editing with detailed stage directions; 'green' aspects of product; evident research (100 points). Finally, student groups will film and edit their high-quality commercial which will include a variety of shots, angles and effects (100 points). Due dates to be determined by Miss Kim as project progresses.

Students will read two books of at least 200 pages each written by the same author, and present a 5-paragraph report on the book. The first paragraph will be the introduction, the second paragraph will explore the similarities between the books, the third paragraph will explain how the books are different, the fourth will explain which book is better and why, and the fifth paragraph will be the conclusion. Students will have an extra typed copy to be projected on the board during the presentation, or 10 points will be deducted from the final grade. 10 points will be deducted if this self-graded rubric is not turned in with the presentation. Due date: May 31, 2011.

Students will read a fictional book of at least 200 pages published before 1970, and present a 5-paragraph report on the book. The first paragraph will be the introduction, the second paragraph will explore the textual evidence of the time period the book was written, the third paragraph will explain how the world has changed since the writing of the book, the fourth will explain the elements of the book that remain timeless, and the fifth paragraph will be the conclusion. Students will have an extra typed copy to be projected on the board during the presentation, or 10 points will be deducted from the final grade. 10 points will be deducted if this self-graded rubric is not turned in with the presentation. Due date: May 10, 2011.