Yikes, that was some tough love there eh? ;)

I think you are probably sensitive to the subject because of your
experience with the previous teacher in your district---but I
hardly think Neens is one of those teachers who lets the
kids "play" and gives them all A's. She's on this board to get
some advice and figure out a way of improving this one area...
Just thought I needed to jump to her defense a bit here! :)

Over 500 students -- definitely a lot to keep up with, and lets
face it, we have curriculum to create (don't have a book to fall
back on) displays to put up, materials to prep for etc. etc.
We need to find ways to work smarter--not harder. I think a very
simple rubric is appropriate at the elementary level---but quite
honestly I personally think it should start around grade 2. K
and 1 should be taught about colors, and exposed to artists etc.
but I don't think it's developmentally appropriate to bother with
rubrics at that age. Focusing on getting them to express
themselves, being creative, and learning how to use the materials
(cut with scissors, etc.).... But I'm sure some will disagree.

Grades 2 and up can read and write and a simple rubric is
appropriate. I think SIMPLE is the key though. I think the new
trend to have elementary students assess the heck out of
themselves is over rated. Our kids only have so much art time,
and to spend an entire class assessing (as a colleage of mine has
them do) is sad and ridiculous in my opinion.

I would do something like this: When you pass back their
projects, pass back a 1/2 sheet of paper with your rubric printed
on it. Some things can always stay the same with each project
like "I tried my very best and took my time during class" and
others could be specific to the project-- like, "I made different
tints by adding white." Have a number score check list that the
students can rate themselves on, and then room to write a brief
comment about how they feel about the work. Have them tape it to
the back of their work and then pass them back. Now they are all
organized and you can quickly go in and check off your assesment
(on the teacher column side.) You don't need to do this for
every little project--but at least for the main ones--the ones
that take 2+ weeks to complete.

The rubric stays on the project after it is returned and this
gives the parents a concrete idea of what goals of the project
were. You are less likely to have parents question grades when
this is there for them to see, and if you are ever questioned
about why a student is not getting a certain grade, you are able
to 'back up' your grade so to speak.

It will be a little bit of work to get it started, but in the end
it really won't be that much more time consuming and once it
becomes habit you won't remember what it was like before it was a
part of your daily routine!

Good luck :)

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