Differentiation in the PreK-12 Science Classroom

ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION

Use the Discussion Rubric below to you when posting original threads and responses to
others’ postings.

SAMPLE RUBRIC FOR PARTICIPANT ONLINE DISCUSSION

Exemplary Acceptable Needs Improvement

The participant posts
thoughtful comments The participant posts
that include both of the thoughtful comments that
following: include at least one of the
• evidence that following:
the participant has • evidence that the The participant’s comments
read and participant has read do not relate to the course
Content
considered course and considered course materials or learning
materials; and materials; or objectives.
• contribution of • contribution of new
new ideas or ideas or information
information related related to learning
to learning objectives.
objectives.
The participant posts
at least two The participant posts at
thoughtful least one thoughtful
The participant does not post
responses in reply to response in reply to
replies to other participants,
Collaborati contributions by other contributions by other
or replies are minimal and
on participants and adds participants and adds new
not related to the learning
new ideas or ideas or information to
objectives.
information to those that contribution related
contributions related to learning objectives.
to learning objectives.
The participant posts a
The participant posts a
thoughtful response to The participant posts a
thoughtful response to the
the discussion prompt minimal response to the
discussion prompt during
during the first half discussion prompt; or
the first half of the
of the discussion messages are posted after
discussion period and at
Frequency/ period and two or the due date; or no
least one additional
Timing more messages in messages are posted in the
message in response to
response to other discussion forum.
other another participant’s
participants’ messages.
message.
(Response + 2 (Minimal or no response)
(Response + 1 reply)
replies)
The participant
The participant posts
responds to other
messages that do not take
Courtesy messages in a The participant responds to
into consideration the
and courteous manner that other viewpoints in a
viewpoint of others or the
Respect demonstrates an effort courteous manner.
participant is argumentative
to respect other
and attacks others’ opinions.
viewpoints.
The participant generally
adheres to the rules of
The participant adheres The participant frequently
Acceptable Internet acceptable use
to the rules of Internet violates the rules of Internet
Use policies in the discussion
acceptable use policies acceptable use policies in the
Policies area. Occasionally, minor
in the discussion area. discussion area.
lapses are corrected when
pointed out.
• Weekly reflective writing assignments should be a minimum of 250 words, 500
word maximum, and all uploads are limited to 2MB. These will be known as
“Assignments” which are different from the “Forum” postings.