SIS ELA RUBRIC—Grades 5-8

Quality

6 96-100 (Insightful)
A response at this level:

5 85-95 (Thorough)
A response at this level:

4 65-84 (Basic)
A response at this level:

3 60-64 (Basic)
A response at this level:

2 50-59 (Confused)
A response at this level:

1 0-49 (Minimal)
A response at this level:

Meaning: The paper shows understanding, interpretation and
analysis of the text and task

Reveals an in-depth analysis of the text
Makes insightful connections between information and ideas in the text and the assigned task

Reveals a thorough understanding of the text
Makes clear connections between information and ideas in the text and the assigned task

Reveals a basic understanding of the text
Makes connections between information and ideas in the text and the assigned task

Has a basic understanding of the text
Makes few or superficial connections between information and ideas in the text and the assigned task

Has a confused or inaccurate understanding of the text
Refers to the text, but makes unclear or unwarranted connections to the assigned task

Provides no evidence of textual understanding
Makes no connections between information and the assigned task

Development: The paper shows elaborated ideas using interesting and full details

Develops ideas clearly and fully
Includes a wide range of details that are relevant and specific

Develops ideas clearly and consistently
Includes details that are relevant and specific

Develops some ideas more fully than others
Includes details that are relevant and specific

Develops ideas briefly
Includes some details that do not support focus
Omits some important details

Develops ideas that are vague and repetitive
Lacks clarity

Is minimal with no evidence of development

Organization: The paper is focused and logically ordered

Maintains focus
Exhibits a logical and coherent structure through skillful use of appropriate devices and transitions
Uses transition Words: For example, On the other hand, Therefore, To Reiterate, In Conclusion

Maintains the focus established by the controlling idea
Exhibits a logical sequence of ideas through the use of appropriate devices and transitions. For example: On the other hand, therefore, to reiterate

Maintains a clear and appropriate focus
Is organized but may have minor lapses in order or structure

Establishes but fails to maintain an appropriate focus
Exhibits poor transitions
Shift in point of view
Lacks closure

Lacks an appropriate focus but suggests some organization or suggests a focus but lacks organization
Resembles free writing
Lacks closure

Shows no focus or organization

Language Use: The paper shows an awareness of audience and purpose through proper use of words, sentence structure and sentence variety

Is stylistically sophisticated, using language that is precise and engaging, with a clear awareness of audience and task
Shows a distinctive voice
Uses a variety of sentence patterns
Uses effective and vivid language

Uses language that is fluent and original with evident awareness of audience and purpose
Varies structure and length of sentences

Uses appropriate language with some awareness of audience and purpose
Occasionally makes effective use of sentence structure or length

Uses basic vocabulary with little sense of audience or purpose
Some attempt to is made to vary sentence structure or length for effect but with uneven success

Uses language that is imprecise or unsuitable for the audience and purpose
Reveals a little awareness of how to use sentences to achieve an effect

Is minimal
Uses language that is incoherent or inappropriate

Conventions: The
paper shows conventional spelling, punctuation, paragraphing, capitalization, grammar and usage

Shows control of the conventions with essentially no errors, even with sophisticated language

Shows control of the conventions making occasional errors, only when using sophisticated language

Shows partial control making occasional errors that do not hinder comprehension

Shows emerging control making frequent errors that hinder comprehension

Shows a lack of control making frequent errors that make comprehension difficult

Is minimal
Unreliable
May be illegible or not recognizable as English