Literature Circles Assessment

Okay so now that my students are all familiar with the Literature Circle packets that I have given to them, I need to find an appropriate way to assess them and give them a letter grade.  In fourth grade, we give letter grades and it is important to provide rubrics to show our resoning for giving the grade. I am struggling because sometimes I feel that the grading for this is so subjective. I have been researching online for rubrics and other ideas to assess literature circles but all I am finding is self-assessment by the individual student. Does anyone have any ideas as far as a teacher assessment/rubric? Here is a student self assessment that I found and liked.

4—always 3—usually 2—sometimes 1—rarely

I am prepared for each session of the literature circle.

I participate in discussions and take turns.

I listen attentively.

I see clarification when needed from group members.

I respond to group members with appropriate input.

I make predictions as I read.

I use information from the text and from my own background knowledge to make

sense of the reading.

I make connections between the text and real world

I understand key information from the selection.

I learn new words when reading and use appropriate strategies to determine their

meaning.

I ask myself questions about the text selections I read.

Asking yourself (or the text) questions

I know the difference between fact and opinion.

I can visualize many parts of what I read.

I support my thoughts and ideas with information from myself, information from

the reading and information from other reading I’ve done.

I add supporting details in both writing and discussion.

I add detail to my writing with descriptive language.

Using sketches and illustrations to spark or extend ideas.

Where can I improve and why?__________________________________________________

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