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=**Using Rubrics for Assessments**=

Lesson Overview
This classroom assignment was done with high school students, all males ranging in grade level 9-12. It was a creative writing assignment in which students were to write their own short stories using a story pattern provided by the teacher. The lesson started with a review of the elements of a short story. Students were quizzed and were able to identify that all the components of a short story which include: an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and a resolution. They were then given a hand-out that we covered as a class which had the following story patterns on it: the rescue, the union, the underdog, the decision, and the rivalry. Students had to choose one of the story patterns, and had the option to work in pairs or to work alone on their short stories. They were allowed to complete the assignment in Microsoft Word.

Teacher Reflections
After completing this assignment, I realize that there is a definite difference between standardized tests and rubrics. The assignment that I gave my students was designed to assess whether or not they could write a short story, being creative, and have it contain all of the necessary components. I believe that a majority of them took the assignment seriously and worked diligently to complete the task. When analyzing the instruction that took place prior to letting them start writing, I felt like they all understood the parts of a short story, and that they understood the different scenarios presented to them. I found that some students work faster than others. I also found that some students have a hard time staying on task. In the future, I will assign groups for them to work in so that those students that choose to work together and didn't stay on task will have less opportunity to be off task. I had to do a lot of redirection to get on task. I was very proud of the direction that my students went in with their writing ( even those that are just starting to develop their ideas).

I know that standardized tests measure what students have learned over a designated period of time. I like using rubrics because students can see for themselves what is expected of them. If they work to perform at the best of their ability, and pay attention to the rubric, they are guaranteed to make good scores. I have learned that both summative and formative assessments are important. They both have their place in the academic world. I will definitely keep using rubrics as one of my assessment tools.

Student Examples of Short Story along with their Scored Rubrics
(The Scored Rubric, along with comments, follows the Short Story)