How to grade writing
 

I need help- 2nd year teacher. I never really "learned" how to grade writing. What I did last year was made writing specific rubrics, reviewed them with the students prior to the writing assignment, gave each student a copy, and then graded off of that.

Unfortunately, my school schedule doesn't really allow for a ww format- I feel like my students aren't always getting authentic writing time, however, I am planning on having more experiences this year for that- where there are more options.

Anyhow, is this how you usually grade writing? Thanks!

Writing Assessment
 

I try to incorporate some type of WW format into my schedule every year, some years it is more difficult than others.

I use a rubrics to grade my students writing assignments, as well. You could do a series of mini lessons going over each component of the rubric. That way students aren't too overwhelmed while writing their pieces; they can focus on one element at a time.

What grade do you teach? How much time do you think you'll be able to devote to teaching writing?

co-grading
 

We use a rubric and have found that co-grading also is a big help. If you have another teacher at your grade level it's helpful to sit down and alternate between his/her students and yours. I think it keeps things on the up and up and prevents some biases -unintentional - from creeping in as you grade.

I use rubrics that are specific to that writing style. I teach 6th grade, so I hold them accountable for some things automatically. For instance, when we write personal narratives at the beginning of the year, I hold them accountable for caps/end marks, complete sentences (subject and verb), 5-8 sentences per paragraph, time order words, indenting, and having a cluster, a rough draft, and a final draft. All of those elements would expected. I don't count off for spelling because we are still learning...

I teach
 

5th grade. My total Lang. Arts time is 90 minutes daily. I outlined the year- planning 1 major writing project a month, which isn't nearly enough (meaning I would LOVE to do ww, but lack time- we are departmentalized) so I really have 1 week a month. I wish that I could incorporate writing daily, but I just don't see how it could work. Our school is really focused on guided reading - we have to use much of the time for small groups.

Thanks for your input. How do you work out your schedule so that you get writing in often?

Struggling Too
 

We only have 60 minutes for reading and writing so it's a struggle every day...I always feel like I'm cheating one or the other:confused:

Writing rubric
 

Does anyone have an example of a 6th grade writing rubric that I could look at? I'm new to 6th and I'm not sure where they should be.

I found this site earlier today...what a find!
http://sacpsi.org/rubricshowc.cfm?co...s&xsite=sacpsi

writing
 

any chance you have your outline on line for writing projects on line. I would love to see what other 5th grade teachers do for writing