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Student Input on Project Rubrics

Tags

Social-Emotional Learning ^Music, Art and Makerspaces ^21st Century Skills High School & Up Strategy

Skills

Flexible Thinking Verbal Reasoning Abstract Reasoning

Student Input on Project Rubrics

If your students question the purpose or value of a project

Teach It!

  1. Objective: Students will take part in creating the grading rubric to develop awareness of the overriding objective of the project and what is most important for a successful outcome.
  2. Direct Instruction: a) Provide students with a draft of the grading rubric before starting a big project. b) Manage expectations. Be clear that you want their opinions to influence the rubric though ultimately the teacher makes the final decision. c) Rubric creation can be done as whole class discussion, in small groups, or by assigning each student a part. d) Encourage students to envision what they would need to produce to be successful for each criteria. e) Use specific examples to help students understand expectations. What type of work would earn them an A? A middle grade? The minimum requirement to pass? Starting with what is exceptional work can help students work successfully to the goal.
  3. Considerations: a) Being very open to feedback can increase student enthusiasm for the product and take them down a great path that you might not have originally envisioned for the project. b) Listen to student questions to understand their biggest concerns and how you might help specific students address their challenges over the course of the project.

Why It Works (the Science Of Learning)!

Giving students a sense of control over the goal and outcome of a project can increase student engagement and purpose. This strategy might be best for teachers who have mature, engaged students, as if you give students the opportunity to create the rubric, you will want to be sure they feel they have clearly influenced the final rubric.