Writing rubrics for 1st - 4th grades

FIRST GRADE HOLISTIC WRITING RUBRIC
4 Mature
Writing is on topic and interesting.  There is a beginning, middle, and
end.  Writing creates emotion in the reader.  Writing generally shows
accuracy in punctuation and capitalization.  It also demonstrates 
knowledge
of sound-letter correspondence; errors do not interfere with 
understanding.

3 Capable
Writing is on topic.  There is an attempt to sequence or development of
thought.  The writing holds the reader's attention.  May have surface 
errors
but doesn't interfere with understanding.

2 Developing
Writing is generally on topic.  There is an attempt to get sentences on
paper.  Sentences may be simple or incomplete with limited vocabulary.
Surface feature errors may make understanding difficult.

1 Emerging
Writing may show little or no development of topic, but may contain
meaningful vocabulary.  There is an attempt to get words on paper.  
Written
vocabulary is limited.  Writing shows no use of writing conventions.


SECOND GRADE HOLISTIC WRITING RUBRIC
4 Mature
Writing is on topic and interesting.  The writing flows from beginning 
to
middle to end.  The writing creates emotion in the reader.  Writing
generally shows accuracy in punctuation and capitalization.  It also
demonstrates knowledge of sound-letter correspondence and spelling 
rules;
errors do not interfere with understanding.

3 Capable
Writing is on topic.  There is a beginning, middle, and end.  The 
writing
holds the reader's attention.  There may be surface feature errors, but 
they
don't interfere with understanding.

2 Developing
Writing is generally on topic.  There is an attempt at sequence or
development of thoughts.  Sentences may be simple or incomplete with 
limited
vocabulary.  Surface feature errors may make understanding difficult.

1 Emerging
Writing may show little or no development of the topic or may be too 
limited
in length.  There is an attempt to get words and/or sentences on paper.
Written vocabulary is limited.  Writing shows little or no use of 
writing
conventions.

THIRD GRADE HOLISTIC WRITING RUBRIC
4 Mature
The writing is focused on a topic and supported with details and/or
examples.  The writing shows a clear beginning, middle, and end with 
ideas
separated into paragraphs.  Author's voice/personality contributes to 
the
writing through effective word choice and varied sentence structure.
Sentences are complete, and surface errors (spelling, grammar, 
punctuation)
are minimal.

3 Capable
The writing is focused on a topic and includes details.  The writing 
shows a
beginning, middle, and end; the writer may attempt to separate ideas 
into
paragraphs.  Author's voice/personality is evident through use of
descriptive words and simple and compound sentences.  Sentences are
complete, and surface feature errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation) 
don't
interfere with understanding.

2 Developing
Topic is presented but not developed; focus may wander.  There is an 
attempt
to organize ideas, but writing may lack connections.  The writing may 
show
limited vocabulary and/or simple sentences structure, but surface 
errors may
make understanding difficult.

1 Emerging
Writing shows minimal focus on topic or is too limited in length.  The
writing shows little direction or organization.  Vocabulary is limited 
and
sentences are simple.  Minimal control of surface features (spelling,
grammar, punctuation) makes understanding difficult.

FOURTH AND FIFTH WRITING RUBRIC
4 Mature
The writing is clearly focused, well-developed, and captures the 
reader's
attention.  The writing has a sense of wholeness (beginning, middle, 
and
end); the organization helps move the reader through the text.  
Author's
personality engages the reader and/or evokes emotion.  The writing 
shows
accuracy in spelling and mechanics and creative/skillful use of 
language
with few errors.

3 Capable
The writing is focused on a topic and developed throughout with details 
/
examples.  The writing has a sense of wholeness (beginning, middle, 
end)
although it may lack details or have extra information.  Author's
personality comes through in the writing as shown by use of descriptive
words or variety of sentences.  Errors in spelling and/or mechanics do 
not
interfere with understanding.

2 Developing
The topic is recognizable but may not be developed.  There is an 
attempt at
organization, but the writing may lack details or connections.  The 
writing
may show limited vocabulary and/or simple sentence structure.  Errors 
in
spelling, mechanics, and/or the use of language may interfere with
understanding.

1 Emerging
The writing shows little focus on topic or may not be developed, but an
ability to get meaningful words down on paper may be demonstrated.  The
writing lacks a beginning, middle, or end.  Vocabulary is limited; 
sentences
are simple.  Errors in spelling, mechanics, and use of language 
interfere
with understanding.