How to Use Grading Rubrics to Save Time in Classroom
Grading assignments in Google Classroom can be time-consuming, but with built-in tools like rubrics and the gradebook, educators can streamline the process and provide meaningful feedback with ease. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create, reuse, and apply rubrics, as well as how to manage grades efficiently using the gradebook feature.
Creating an Assignment with a Rubric in Google Classroom
Rubrics help standardize grading by setting clear expectations for student work. To create an assignment and attach a rubric in Google Classroom:
Navigate to the Classwork tab and click Create to start a new assignment.
Select Assignment and enter a title and optional instructions.
Attach a document if needed by clicking Create, then selecting Docs, Slides, Sheets, or Drawings. Ensure each student receives their own copy by selecting Make a copy for each student.
Click on Rubric in the bottom-right corner and select Create Rubric.
Enter the criterion title (e.g., “Information Accuracy”), an optional description, and define the point values.
Add multiple levels of performance (e.g., “Needs More Work - 1 Point,” “Developing - 5 Points”) with descriptions.
Click Save to attach the rubric to the assignment.
Why teachers should seriously consider applying rubrics to assignments
For educators who have already created a rubric in Google Sheets, Google Classroom also supports importing rubrics directly, eliminating the need to re-enter grading criteria.
Reusing a Rubric
Once a rubric is created, it can be easily reused for future assignments:
In the assignment editor, click Rubric and select Reuse Rubric.
Choose the rubric from a previous assignment and apply it.
Adjust point values if needed and save the rubric.
This feature saves time by eliminating the need to recreate rubrics for similar assignments.
About Grading Student Work Using a Rubric
Once students submit their work, teachers can quickly grade using the attached rubric:
Open the submitted assignment and view the rubric on the right-hand side.
Assign scores by selecting the appropriate performance level for each criterion.
Google Classroom automatically calculates the total score based on rubric selections.
Add personalized feedback in the private comments section.
Click Return to send the graded assignment back to the student.
How rubrics help students
Students can view their scores and feedback within the assignment, helping them understand areas for improvement.
Managing Grades with the Google Classroom Gradebook
The Grades tab in Google Classroom provides an organized view of student performance across assignments:
View all assignments and student submissions in one place.
Identify missing assignments with clear indicators.
Check submission statuses, including late submissions and ungraded work.
Assign or adjust grades directly within the gradebook.
Customize total points by clicking on Change Total Points to ensure rubric scores align with overall grading structures.
Provide feedback and return work with comments.
By leveraging these features, educators can track student progress efficiently while ensuring fair and consistent grading.
Conclusion
The rubric and gradebook features in Google Classroom help educators save time and enhance the grading process. By using rubrics for structured feedback and the gradebook for organized grade tracking, teachers can focus more on student learning and less on administrative tasks.
Try these features today to simplify your grading workflow and improve the way you provide feedback in Google Classroom.
