Reasoning Rubric—Elementary

4

3

2

1

Determining Importance

I can easily tell when I should think carefully about an opinion.

I know when I should think carefully about an opinion.

With help, I can tell when I should think carefully about an opinion.

I cannot tell the difference between important and unimportant opinions.

Supporting Opinions

I try to get information from more than one good source. I spend time thinking about information before I form my opinions.

I get information from at least one good source. I think about information before I form my opinions.

I get information from whatever source is easiest. I sometimes think about information before I form my opinions.

I usually do not get information from sources when I form my opinions.

Finding Information

I know when I need more information before I form opinions. I use several strategies to find more information.

I usually know when I need more information. I know some ways to find more information.

When I am told I need more information, I can usually find it. I sometimes need someone to help me find more information.

I do not know when I need more information, and I need help finding more information.

Predicting

I use my personal knowledge and understanding of a subject area to make logical predictions. I revise my predications when I need to.

I make logical predictions. I revise my predications when I need to.

With help, I can make predictions.

I do not make predictions, or my predications do not make sense.

Drawing Conclusions

I use what I know to make inferences and draw conclusions about information. I always check to see if my ideas make sense.

I use what I know to make inferences and draw conclusions about information. I usually check to see if my ideas make sense.

With help, I make inferences and draw conclusions about information. Sometimes my ideas do not make sense.

I have difficulty making inferences and drawing conclusions.

Determining Cause and Effect

I understand that actions, events, and situations can have several causes and effects. I know some causes are more important than others. I know that when one action happens after another action, the first action may or may not be the cause of the second action.

I understand that some causes are more important than others. I usually understand that when one action happens after another action, the first action may or may not be the cause of the second action.

With help, I can identify important causes. I sometimes get confused and think that when one action happens after another action, the first action must have caused the second action.

I cannot identify the causes of effects. I usually think that when one action happens after another action, the first action must have caused the second action.

Using Graphic Organizers

My diagrams are detailed and clearly show the relationships between causes and effects.

My diagrams show connections between causes and effects.

My diagrams show cause and effect, but they are sometimes incomplete or hard to understand.

I do not use diagrams to show relationships, or if I do, they do not relate to what I am saying.

Communication

I can explain several good reasons for my opinions.

I can explain reasons for my opinions.

With help, I can explain reasons for my opinions.

I cannot explain reasons for my opinions.