Elementary Creative Writing

Posted by Susan Hyde Jul 10, 2007

This week I presented an article on the creation of writing assessment rubrics. As an example, I presented a persuasive writing rubric suitable for a high school persuasive writing assignment. The assignment assumes that students have had a certain level of instruction in logic, the organization of longer writing projects, and English grammar. However, as assessment rubrics should fit the age and instruction level of students, I thought I'd use this week's web-log to show how a rubric might be used for an elementary creative writing assignment.

Since elementary report cards often use descriptors ("Exceeds Standards", "Meets Standards", etc.), an elementary writing rubric may not assign point values. Instead, a language arts teacher might include a check list followed by a list of specific suggestions for the writing process. A teacher of younger elementary students might even create a pictograph rubric so that new readers will more easily understand the evaluation.

Sample Elementary Creative Writing Rubric:

• Does the writing jump right into the action?
• Are characters and setting vividly presented (show not tell!) early in the story?
• Do active verbs guide most of the sentences?
• Can your writing partner understand the writing when it is read aloud?
• Did you use complete sentences?
• Are commonly used spelling words correct?

This essay is (circle one):

• Ready for publication!
• In need of some minor polishing. Be sure to _______________________.
• In need of a re-write paying more attention to _______________________.

As always, leave room for personal words of encouragement.