Rubric
A rubric is an objective scoring tool. It consists of a set of writing traits, such as ideas and mechanics. Each writing trait
includes the expectations of those traits that show if a child has met the standard, is approaching the standard, or is below
the standard. It is compiled by the teachers of each grade collaboratively, and is different for each writing genre done
throughout the year. Each writing piece will have a rubric attached to it along with 2 grades…… one for content and one
for mechanics. The following are rubrics in the five writing genres:
Rubric for Report of Information Kindergarten
CONTENT
Expert
4
Practitioner
3
Apprentice
2
Novice
1
Theme
(Ideas)
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic.
The writer is
accomplished by writing
information relates to the
main topic.
The information is
emerging and somewhat
relates to the main topic.
Information has little or
nothing to do with the main
topic. There is a
misunderstanding of what to
write about.
Two or three facts
are given.
One fact
related to the topic.
No facts
are given.
Three sentences
are written.
There is an
accomplished
flow/organization of the
writing piece.
Two sentences are
written.
One or
no sentences.
There is san emerging
flow/organization of the
writing piece.
There is a misunderstanding
with no flow/organization of
the writing piece.
Writer does not use
vocabulary words related to
the topic and has a
misunderstanding of what
to write.
Three or more facts
are given with an
explanation.
Four or more
sentences are written.
Content
(Facts)
Sentences
Flow/Organization
The student shows an
ability to organize
their thoughts clearly.
Language
(Engagement)
The writer uses
vocabulary words that
show a deep
involvement with the
topic and engages the
reader.
The writer is
accomplished and uses
vocabulary words
related to the topic that
engages the reader.
The writer an use of
emerging vocabulary
words related to the
topic.
Prior Knowledge
. It is evident the
student used prior
knowledge to support
the topic.
It is evident the student
has an accomplished
understanding of using
their prior knowledge to
support the topic.
It is evident the student
has an emerging
understanding of using
their prior knowledge to
support the topic.
Depth of Knowledge
Construct multiple
sentences that support
analysis of complex
ideas with details
Support ideas with
details and examples in
sentence form.
MECHANICS
Expert
4
Spelling
Most words spelled
correctly
Punctuation
Capitalization
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
Periods are used
correctly.
Practitioner
3
Invented spelling with
most sight words spelled
correctly
Periods are mostly
correctly.
Connect ideas using a
simple organizational
structure.
Apprentice
2
Novice
1
Inventive spelling.
Random letter strands
Student has an somewhat
accomplished Uses
punctuation incorrectly.
Some capitalization errors.
Student has a misunderstanding
of the proper use of punctuation
marks.
Capitals are always
used correctly.
Capitals are mostly
used correctly.
Above level
vocabulary using
nouns and verbs.
All word tenses are
used correctly
Grade level vocabulary
using nouns and verbs.
Some word tenses used
correctly.
Basic/approaching
grade level vocabulary
using some nouns and
verbs Few word tenses
used correctly.
Show evidence that
most sentences start
with a capital letter
and most end with a
period.
Some sentences start
with a capital letter
and end some
sentences with a
period.
All sentences start
with a capital letter
and end with a
period.
It is evident the student has
a misunderstanding of how
to apply their prior
knowledge to support the
topic.
Write or recite facts
List ideas
Simple spelling and
vocabulary
No capitals are used
Below grade
level vocabulary without using
nouns and verbs. No word tenses
used correctly.
No sentences start with a
capital letter and end with a
period.
Rubric for Narrative Account/Small Moment Kindergarten
CONTENT
Expert
4
Theme
(Ideas)
The writing developed a
complex small moment
written across 4 pages.
Content
(Details)
Sentences
Flow/Organization
Language
The writing establishes a
clear and detailed setting
and/or series of events.
The writer provides a
reaction to what
happened.
At least 2 or more
sentences are included
per page.
The writer produces a
story that has a clear
beginning, middle and
end.
The writer uses
vocabulary words that
show a deep involvement
with the topic and
engages the reader.
Prior Knowledge
It is evident the student
used prior knowledge to
support the topic.
Depth of Knowledge
Construct multiple
sentences that support
analysis of complex ideas
with details.
Practitioner
3
Apprentice
2
Novice
1
The writing is
accomplished, developed
and clear as well as
written across 3 pages.
The writing establishes a
clear accomplished
setting and/or a series of
events with some
reaction to what
happened.
The writing is emerging
and developing into a
small moment across 2
pages.
The writing establishes a
somewhat clear and
emerging setting and/or a
series of events with little
reaction to what
happened.
A thought or phrase is
written on each page.
There is no
small moment. Student has
a misunderstanding of a
small moment
1-2 sentences are
included per page.
The writer produces an
accomplished story that
has a beginning, middle
and end.
The writer uses
vocabulary words that
are accomplished and
related to the topic that
engages the reader.
It is evident the student
has an accomplished of
using their prior
knowledge to support the
topic.
Support ideas with
details and examples in
sentence form.
Student had a
misunderstanding and has
no
details and no reaction to
what happened.
The student has a
misunderstanding and has
no
sentences/thoughts/phrases
are used.
The writer produces a
story that is emerging.
No evidence of a
beginning, middle or end.
The writer does not
produce a story.
The writer uses some
vocabulary words that are
emerging and related to
the topic.
The writer has a
misunderstanding and does
not use vocabulary related
to the topic.
It is evident the student
has an emerging
understanding of using
their prior knowledge to
support the topic.
It is evident the student has
a misunderstanding of how
to apply their prior
knowledge to support the
topic.
Write or recite facts
List ideas
Simple spelling and
vocabulary
Connect ideas using a
simple organizational
structure.
Grade: ________________
MECHANICS
Expert
4
Spelling
Most words spelled
correctly
Punctuation
Capitalization
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
A range of punctuation is
used.
Capitals are always
used correctly.
Above level
vocabulary using
nouns and verbs. All
word tenses are
used correctly
All sentences start
with a capital letter
and end with a
period.
Grade: ________________
Practitioner
3
Invented spelling with
most sight words
spelled correctly
Periods are used
correctly.
Capitals are
mostly used
correctly.
Grade level
vocabulary using
nouns and verbs.
Some word tenses
used correctly.
Show evidence
that most
sentences start
with a capital
letter and most
end with a period.
Apprentice
2
Novice
1
Inventive spelling.
Random letter strands
Uses punctuation
incorrectly.
Some capitalization
errors.
Lacks
punctuation.
Frequent capitalization
errors.
Basic/approaching
grade level
vocabulary using
some nouns and
verbs Few word
tenses used
correctly.
Some sentences
start with a capital
letter and end some
sentences with a
period.
Below grade
level vocabulary without
using nouns and verbs. No
word tenses used correctly.
No sentences start
with a capital letter
and end with a period.
Response to Literature/Topic Kindergarten
CONTENT
Expert
4
Practitioner
3
Apprentice
2
Theme
(Ideas)
The response is very well
structured and easy to
understand. The
information clearly relates
to the topic.
The response is
accomplished and
structured. The information
relates to the topic.
The response is emerging
and structured. The
information fairly relates
to the topic.
The writing states a clear
opinion or preference
about the topic or book.
The writing is accomplished
and states an opinion or
preference about the topic or
book.
The writing contains at
least 3 or more sentences.
The writing contains at least
1-2 sentences.
The writing is emerging
and shows some
evidence of an opinion or
preference about the
topic or book.
The writing contains at
least 1 sentence.
The student shows an
ability to organize their
thoughts clearly.
There is an accomplished
flow/organization of the
writing piece.
There is an emerging
flow/organization of the
writing piece.
Language
The writer uses
vocabulary words that
show a deep involvement
with the topic and engages
the reader.
The writer uses
accomplished vocabulary
words related to the topic
that engages the reader.
The writer uses an
emerging vocabulary
words related to the
topic.
Prior Knowledge
It is evident the student
used prior knowledge to
support the topic.
It is evident the student has
an accomplished
understanding of using their
prior knowledge to support
the topic.
Depth of Knowledge
Construct multiple
sentences that support
analysis of complex ideas
with details.
It is evident the student
an emerging some
understanding of using
their prior knowledge to
support the topic.
Connect ideas using a
simple organizational
structure.
First draft writing for a
limited number of
purposes and audience.
Content
Sentences
Flow/Organization
Support ideas with details
and examples in sentence
form.
Novice
1
There is a misunderstanding
and the response is
unstructured. The
information has little or
nothing to do with the topic.
There is a misunderstanding
and the writing shows no
evidence of an opinion or
preference about the topic or
book.
There is a misunderstanding
and no sentences
are used.
There is a misunderstanding
and there is no
flow/organization of
the writing piece.
The writer has a
misunderstanding and does
not use vocabulary related to
the topic and/or no words.
It is evident the student has a
misunderstanding of how to
apply their prior knowledge
to support the topic.
Write or recite facts
List ideas
Simple spelling and
vocabulary
Grade: ________________
MECHANICS
Expert
4
Spelling
Most words spelled
correctly
Punctuation
Capitalization
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
A range of punctuation is
used.
Capitals are always
used correctly.
Above level
vocabulary using
nouns and verbs. All
word tenses are
used correctly
All sentences start
with a capital letter
and end with a
period.
Grade: _______________
Practitioner
3
Invented spelling with
most sight words spelled
correctly
Periods are used correctly.
Capitals are mostly
used correctly.
Grade level vocabulary
using nouns and verbs.
Some word tenses used
correctly.
Show evidence that
most sentences start
with a capital letter
and most end with a
period.
Apprentice
2
Novice
1
Inventive spelling.
Random letter strands
Uses punctuation
incorrectly.
Some capitalization
errors.
Lacks
punctuation.
Frequent capitalization
errors.
Basic/appoaching
grade level
vocabulary using
some nouns and
verbs Few word
tenses used
correctly.
Some sentences
start with a capital
letter and end some
sentences with a
period.
Below grade
level vocabulary without
using nouns and verbs. No
word tenses used correctly.
No sentences start
with a capital letter
and end with a period.
Opinion Pieces on Topics/Persuasive Writing – Kindergarten
CCSS Language &
Writing Criteria
Purpose
 Context
 Focus/controlling idea
(opinion)
 Evidence of
understanding the topic
 Connections are related
to opinion on the topic
Organization
 Overall coherence
between topic, opinion, and
reasons
 Transitions connect
ideas (e.g., sequence,
compare-contrast,
description, cause-effect,
problem-solution)
Details/Elaboration
 Descriptions
 Explanations
 Comparisons
Expert
4
Three or more facts
are given with an
explanation
Information clearly
relates to the main
topic
 Sentence structure
 Sentence variety
Conventions of Standard
English
 Grammar
 Usage
 Mechanics
(capitalization, punctuation,
spelling)
The information is
emerging and
somewhat relates to
the main topic.
One fact not related to
the picture
Apprentice
2
Novice
1
Information has little or
nothing to do with the main
topic.
The writer is
accomplished by
writing information
There is a misunderstanding
of what to write about
Has a combination of
drawings dictation
and labeling
One fact is given
Three or more
sentences are written
or dictated
The student shows an
ability to organize
their thoughts clearly
Elaborates using a
variety of relevant
details to support
focus (opinion) or
explain reasons
One sentence written
There is an emerging
flow/organization of
the writing piece
Above level
vocabulary using
nouns and verbs
All word tenses are
used correctly
Most words are
spelled correctly
Punctuation is used
correctly
All sentences start
with a capital letter
and end with a period
No sentences written or
dictated
Two sentences are
written
No response
One sentence states
the opinion
One sentence states
the reason
Some elaboration
strategies are evident
in
drawings or writing
Ideas may not be fully
elaborated or details
may be insufficient to
support opinion
 Examples, facts
 Sensory and concrete
details that support
writer’s point of view
Voice and Tone/Word
Choice
 Vocabulary Use
Practitioner
3
Basic/ approaching
grade level vocabulary
using some nouns and
verbs
Few word tenses used
correctly
Inventive spelling
Student has somewhat
accomplished the uses
of punctuation
Some sentences start
with a capital letter
and end some
sentences end with a
period
No details provided
Attempts to add details
to drawings or writing
which may be random,
inaccurate, or irrelevant
Below grade level vocabulary
without using nouns and verbs
Drawings or writing
include relevant
details, labels, and
facts that support the
opinion or reasons
Grade level
vocabulary using
nouns and verbs
No word tenses used correctly
Some word tenses
used correctly
Random letter strands
Student has a
misunderstanding of the
proper use of punctuation
marks
No sentences start with a
capital letter and end with a
period
Inventive spelling
with most sight
words spelled
correctly
Punctuation is mostly
correct
Shows evidence that
most sentences start
with a capital letter
and most end with a
period