Writing Rubric and Grading

Narrative Writing Checklist

Dear Students and Parents,

So as not to cause concern, I would like to explain the grading rubric, points, and scale that will be used to grade ELA writing.  I will be grading using the rubric that is used to scale the beginning and end of year writing prompts.  Each prompt may be graded in total (44 points) or on a focused skill.  

I do not want the points scale to scare anyone.  Writing prompts are graded on a scale of 1 through 4.  At the beginning of the year the students should be at about a level 2(please do not be alarmed to see points of 22/44; that is appropriate at this point in the year).  For example, if a student receives a 33/44 percentage wise that would be 75%,  but on the writing scale it is 3 out of 4 and that is our goal range.  Since we are grading on a standards based system we are looking at growth over time, not a single snapshot.  

To simplify even further: 

1=below grade level, 2=approaching grade level, 3=on grade level, 4=above grade level(end of year expectations for 6th grade).

Please note that level 4 is 7th grade writing and no student is expected to be at that level.