EDU-EDU8616 - Measuring Growth in Writing Using Rubrics

Course Description

This teacher professional development course provides you with a specific guide to measure your student's writing growth using analytic and holistic rubrics. You will learn about what typical writing looks like from kindergarten through third grade, understand the use of holistic and analytic rubrics, and then learn how to create rubrics for your lessons. Explore each rubric type during your course and analyze ways to use them to monitor student writing skill growth. You will also consider how these rubric types can be applied across content areas. You will leave the course with a rubric plan in place, as well as several downloadable resources to support you in utilizing rubrics in your classroom.

Course Outline

1. Writing in the Primary Grades

What typical writing looks like for each grade level, kindergarten through third grade
The purpose of, and how to use, holistic and analytic rubrics to assess writing
How to create both holistic and analytic rubrics

2. Understanding Rubrics

The differences between analytic and holistic rubrics and the benefits of each type

3. How to create both holistic and analytic rubrics

Analytic rubrics based on the six traits of writing
Customized analytic rubrics
Holistic rubrics

4. Assessing Student Growth with Rubrics

How to use rubrics to monitor student growth in writing skills
How to use rubrics to collect data to be used in setting student goals
How to use rubrics to guide your writing instruction

5. Rubrics for Cross-Curricular Connections

The value of using rubrics to assess writing in other subject areas (Science, Math,Social Studies, & Reading)

6. Putting it All Together

Using the sample provided, build your own rubric for an upcoming lesson.

7. Applying What you Have Learned

Get ideas on how to implement the concepts into your classroom, find a list of online resources that feature additional rubrics and ideas for measuring writing progress, and read the research behind the content covered in this course.

Learner Outcomes

Evaluate what typical writing looks like for each grade level, from kindergarten through third grade
Analyze components of holistic and analytic rubrics to understand their purpose in assessing writing
Create your own analytic and holistic rubrics that can be used in your classroom

Notes

This is an asynchronous online course offered through the third party vendor ed2go. This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook. The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online. You will have three months to complete the course, and may complete the course earlier than the three month period. Editing of a Microsoft Word document is required in this course. You may use a free version of Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs if you do not have Microsoft Office installed on your computer.