Welcome to Session 2 of my workshop! Now that you have completed Session One, you are ready to try your hand at rubric scoring. Examine the criteria carefully; then read the student's work. Look at the criteria once again to see which level best describes the work. Record your thoughts on a separate piece of paper, and be sure to say in your evaluation what factors determined your score. And lastly, trust your impressions.

Use the following rubric to score a sixth grader's response to the task described below of writing about a story character.

(Click on the small thumbnail to see the large picture)

Assignment: Write about the main character in your book.

1. Begin by describing the character's appearance.
2. Next describe the character's traits. (A trait describes what a person is like most of the time, for example: kind, mean, timid, generous). Give examples from the story (what the character did and said) to back up your opinions.
3. Compare this character to a similar character in another book. Use examples from the story that show they were alike.
4. Use a separate paragraph for each topic. Be sure to edit your work.

Character Sketch Rudi
Book: Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman

Rudi is short for his age of sixteen. His hair is light blond and he has a fair complexion. He is always very polit and curdeous to his elders. Rudi, though he is small, is very strong. he is always willing to do something for someone and he tries to help people whenever possible.

Rudi is also courageous because he took risks. When Captain Winter was trapped in the trench he put his life on the line to try to save him, by taking his own clothes and tying them together. Winter could have pulled him into the trench as well. But he insisted on taking that chance.

Rudi is very much like Robin in The Door in the Wall. They were both very brave and unselfish. Both Rudi and Robin risked their lives to save or help someone else. Rudi saved Captain Winter and Saro. Robin heard the robbers planning to steal Brother Luke's gold, and woke up John and Luke to warn them. Then, as the robbers were chasing them, he cleverly triped them with his crutch. They were selfless because Rudi risked his life twice to save Saro and Winter, and Robin gave up his time to make poor children toys because he had none.