Google Classroom Rubrics

  Students in my eighth-grade science classes learn about the Earth's biological and
geological history.  For my honors classes I include a geologic timeline project. Students are
asked to create a paper timeline to display significant geologic and biologic events that led
to the diversity of life on our planet. To facilitate this project, I created a summative digital
rubric using Google Sheets (image 1). I have always printed the rubric for the students to
mark up as well as attached the Google Sheet directly with the assignment. 

The workflow for grading these projects has always been cumbersome. At first, I used
printed, paper rubrics which required me to circle scores, tally the points, calculate the grade
by hand, and write comments. I would then need to transfer the final grade into Google
Classroom and PowerSchool. Then I decided to use the digital Google Sheet version. I was
able to save some time by including formulas that would calculate the grades for me.
However, I still had to click and highlight the criteria and enter in the numbers by hand for
each and every student along with the same transfer process to enter grades.  Now Google
Classroom has really streamlined my workflow by including a feature to allow me to create a
dynamic (clickable) rubric directly within the leaning management system (image 2,3).

Google Classroom Rubric Function

Creating a rubric in Google Classroom is time consuming but it proved to be a timesaver in

the long run.  When I post the introduction and expectations for this project, I will attach the
rubric (image 4).  Students will be able to access the rubric, through Google Classroom, to
drive the creation of their project and to see the justification of the grade they earned.
Google Classroom Rubrics

  When it is time to grade the projects, Google Classroom will shave a considerable amount
of time off this process. First, using the clickable rubric is much quicker than my previous
workflow. I use my Chromebook, which is easy to carry since it folds flat like a tablet, while I
view the projects in gallery fashion.  As I walk along, I click to choose the criteria (image 5).
The points are tallied and the percentage is calculated with each click. This leaves me with
nothing left to do except click the "Return" button.  Google Classroom will return the work
to the students and the grades to my gradebook within the LMS.  I can now export these
grades to PowerSchool which saves me from typing them in one by one.