What did I do? For the first time, I created a kid-friendly nonfiction writing rubric, using our highly effective Informative/Explanatory Writing Rubric.
What am I working on? Another goal this year has been to be more effective with feedback during the Workshop, specifically in Writing. During the fiction unit (Ezra Jack Keats) we used an ice cream cone rubric with language/behaviors identified by the kids, which was sufficient. I kept trying to envision a similar rubric for nonfiction and felt stuck.
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| 1st Grade Informative/Explanatory Writing Rubric |
What am I working on? Another goal this year has been to be more effective with feedback during the Workshop, specifically in Writing. During the fiction unit (Ezra Jack Keats) we used an ice cream cone rubric with language/behaviors identified by the kids, which was sufficient. I kept trying to envision a similar rubric for nonfiction and felt stuck.
What did I do? I created a kid-friendly nonfiction writing rubric. Through the SLO process and our coaches, we refined our Informative/Explanatory Writing Rubric. It's been valuable as a monthly tool to assess the kids with All About. I struggled with how do I convey the details of our rubric's six, detailed indicators ... could I do a kid-friendly rubric?
Why is this important to me? I love the Workshop model; there are so many components to do, and do well. Personally, I know how important feedback is to my learning, and how it helps me grow. I want the kids to feel that same success; to learn from themselves and others.
What did I learn? Find balance on how often to give feedback ...
How did this experience impact my work? Gave me encouragement to continue refining my writer's workshop, balancing the order of, and time devoted to, the mini lesson, feedback, and independent writing.
How did this experience impact my students? Kids easily latched on to rubric concept with SLOWED down instruction, daily modeling, daily feedback, and daily sharing of good examples from day before. The kids excitedly awaited the daily lesson with the sharing of yesterday's scored work. They literally sat on their knees and almost chewed their nails they were so eager to see the daily results!
How will I use my new learning in future practice? I will definitely use this again for our nonfiction unit next year, perhaps trying it in a table. I was glad I separated each indicator with a lot of space; otherwise it's too confusing to them. I'm also planning to create a kid-friendly fiction writing rubric with them in the fall! (And, next year, when we resume our Poetry Night, I will help them create a Poetry Rubric.)
Deb, I'm always amazed at the work your first grade students are doing! I'm proud of you for creating all of these kid friendly rubrics. It's tough. I'm always torn between creating it myself (knowing what needs to be on there) or trying to create it with the class (guided them in certain directions). It's a fine line to get buy in, etc, but it sounds like you've been very successful. I'm curious how the work of rubrics continues as the students progress into second grade. I wonder if the second grade teachers would want to use some of your rubrics at the beginning of the year as that reminder, etc. Very good work!
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