Below Average

Average

Above Average

Advanced

Fluency

Few significant ideas

Several ideas but may not be significant

Many ideas that are significant and meaningful

Stream of ideas unusual for developmental level

Flexibility

Few, if any, different categories

Two or three categories

Several categories but ideas seem to be focused on only a few; use of piggybacking strategy

Shifts categories often and with ease

Elaboration

Little depth; few, if any, details

Several details but may lack depth

Includes many details that add depth and complexity

Imagery-vivid, detailed

Originality

All common responses; products represent what is taught or required

One unusual idea in a list or a category: products show an attempt to expand on what is taught or required

More than one unexpected idea; uses creative products as a form of expression; goes beyond what is taught or required

Several unique ideas in a list or a category; products are unique and are used as a form of expressio; goes above and beyond what is taught or required

Synthesis

No evidence of synthesis (redefinition of existing ideas or parts into something new)

Attempt at synthesis but associations may not be accurate

Modifies, improves, adapts ideas

Uses synthesis with high frequency at a high level

Risk Taking

Little or no evidence of risk taking; flexibility of perspective

Attempts to improvise; spontaneous

Nonconforming; willing to experiment; no fear of being different

Adventurous; relishes experimentation; evidence of independence of thought

Initiative/

Perseverance

Little or no initiative or perseverance; easily frustrated; difficulty executing idea(s) to completion

Initiative and perseverance as evidenced by energy and interest in representative of grade level peers; executes idea(s) to completion with assistance

Enthusiastic; initiative and perseverance is above grade level peers as evidenced by energy and interest in the project; has skills in planning and organizing

Energy and interest extremely high; shows initiative as a self starter and perseverance by tolerating frustration.  Highly involved; resists interruption

Humor

Sense of humor is verbally below same-aged peers.

Sense of humor and ability to make/understand puns, jokes and humorous analogies is verbally representative of same aged peers

Sense of humor is above same aged peers; pattern breakers

Sense of humor is advanced, sophisticated

Awareness Audience/

Purpose

Limited Awareness of audience and/or purpose

Some evidence of communicating with an audience for a specific purpose; some lapses in focus

Focused on a purpose; communicates with an audience; evidence of voice and/or suitable tone

Establishes a purpose and maintains clear focus; strong awareness of audience; evidence of distinctive voice

and/or appropriate tone

Idea Development

Minimal idea development; limited and/or unrelated details

Unelaborated idea development; unelaborated and/or repetitious details

Depth of idea development supported by elaborated, relevant details

Depth and complexity or ideas supported by rich, engaging, and/or pertinent details; evidence of analysis, refection, insight

Organization

Random and’ or weak organization

Lapses in organization and/or coherence

Logical, coherent organization

Careful and/or subtle organization

Sentence Structure

Incorrect and/or ineffective sentence structure

Simplistic and/or awkward sentence structure

Controlled and varied sentence structure

Variety in sentence structure and length enhances effect

Language

Incorrect and/or ineffective language

Simplistic and/or imprecise language

Acceptable, effective language

Precise and/or rich language

Mechanics

Errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization are disproportionate to length and complexity

Some errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization that do not interfere with communication

Few errors in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization relative to length and complexity

Control of spelling, punctuation, and capitalization