NJSLA-A Grades 4–5 Informative and Explanatory Rubric

4 points

Focused response, clear understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: clearly conveys ideas and information about a topic; facts, concrete details, text evidence, or other information and examples that clearly develop the topic.

3 points

Mostly focused response, general understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: generally conveys ideas and information about a topic; facts, details, or other information and examples that generally develop the topic.

2 points

Basic response, some understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: somewhat conveys information about a topic; basic information or examples related to the topic.

1 point

Minimally written response, minimal understanding of task and purpose. Characteristics: conveys minimal information about a topic; minimal, missing, or irrelevant information or examples related to the topic.

4 points

Focused response. Characteristics: introduces a topic clearly; clearly groups related information; clearly linked ideas within sections of information; a conclusion clearly related to the information or explanation presented.

3 points

Mostly focused response. Characteristics: introduces a topic generally; generally groups related information; generally linked ideas within sections of information; a conclusion generally related to the information presented.

2 points

Basic response. Characteristics: attempts to introduce a topic; basic or attempted grouping of information; basic or attempted links between sections of information; a basic or attempted conclusion.

1 point

Minimally written response. Characteristics: a missing or unclear introduction of the topic; minimal or no grouping of information; minimal or unclear links between sections of information; a missing or unclear conclusion.

4 points

Focused response. Characteristics: precise use of language to explain the topic; clear use of transition words and phrases.

3 points

Mostly focused response. Characteristics: general use of language to explain the topic; general use of transition words and phrases.

2 points

Basic response. Characteristics: basic use of language to explain the topic; basic or attempted use of transition words and phrases.

1 point

Minimally written response. Characteristics: minimal or unclear use of language to explain the topic; minimal or unclear use of transition words and phrases.