Discussion Board Rules and Rubric

[kda...@calvarydayschool.com]

Online Discussion in Google Groups

Please read and keep the following directions. Discussion posts will count as a homework grade.

POSTING
For your initial response to my question, you should use a minimum of 100 words and no more than 200.  When replying to someone else’s post, you should use at least 75 words, but try not to go over 150.  Please remember that you will be graded on both your initial post and your response post(s). 

RUBRIC
100) Student answers initial post question as well as the minimum of responses required for the topic. The prose is clear, coherent, and demonstrates control and sophistication.  The response goes beyond surface details of plot or generalization and attempts to demonstrate a true understanding of the question(s).  The student demonstrates a mastery of basic grammar, mechanics, spelling, sentence variety, etc.  There is no use of text-speak and all work is completed on time.

90) Student answers initial post question as well as the minimum of responses required for the topic. The prose is clear, coherent, and demonstrates control over the elements of language. The prose is less sophisticated than in the “100” responses.  Student demonstrates a basic knowledge of grammar, mechanics, spelling, sentence variety, etc.  There is no use of text-speak and all work is completed on time.

80) Student answers the initial response question, but fails to respond to other posts.  The student has demonstrated inconsistent control over the elements of language and does not go beyond surface details and plot summary.   Student does not demonstrate mastery of grammar, mechanics, spelling, sentence variety, etc. and has multiple mistakes, which may include text-speak.  All work is completed on time.

70) Student answers the initial response question, but fails to respond to other posts or the opposite.  The student has demonstrated inconsistent control over the elements of language and does not go beyond surface details and plot summary. Student does not demonstrate mastery of grammar, mechanics, spelling, sentence variety, etc. and has many mistakes.  Student may use text-speak.

0) Student does not complete initial response or responds past deadline.  Student uses inappropriate or offensive language in post or response(s).
Here is an example of a discussion question, an initial post, and two response posts:

Question from TEACHER:   You are reading both Wyatt and Howard this week. What type of themes or ideas do these Renaissance poets discuss or write about?

Initial Post by STUDENT, Adam:   One theme that both Wyatt and Howard use in their poetry is that of love and whether it is constant or changing. In Wyatt's poem "Whoso...," he insinuates that Anne Boleyn flirted with him and led him on a merry chase and then forgot about him and moved on. Her love/like for him was not everlasting and changed. In his "Varium..." poem, he writes about the changing feelings and fickle ways of women, thus implying how a woman's love might change. Howard also writes about love, but he believes that his love is everlasting and will not weaken. For example, his poem "A Lover's Vow" talks of the strength of his love regardless of his circumstances. He seems to think that love is forever. He states, " Sick or in health, in ill fame or in good; Yours will I be..."

RESPONSE TO Adam’s POST by Jessie:  I like what you’ve written about the theme of love, but I disagree with you concerning Howard’s “Lover’s Vow” poem.  I think that he wrote it while feeling passionately in love with someone, but I am sure that might change if he fell out of love with that same person.  Maybe he just doesn’t discuss how love changes in this specific poem?

RESPONSE TO Jessie’s POST by Sue: I think that maybe Adam is right.  It seems like Howard doesn’t think that his love will ever change.  He says that his love will be strong no matter where he is or how miserable or happy he is.  Wyatt really does seem to think that love changes though. Like Adam mentioned in his post, the poem about the deer implies that love is like a deer; it always moves quickly from here to there and never stays put.