Distinguished - Includes an introductory paragraph that comprehensively describes the physical environment of the classroom where the lesson will be taught, using elaborate, relevant details.

Proficient - Includes an introductory paragraph that sufficiently describes the physical environment of the classroom where the lesson will be taught, using relevant details. The description is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Includes an introductory paragraph that minimally describes the physical environment of the classroom where the lesson will be taught, using limited details. The description is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include an introductory paragraph that describes the physical environment of the classroom where the lesson will be taught; however, the description is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The inclusion of an introductory paragraph that describes the physical environment of the classroom where the lesson will be taught is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes all aspects of the lesson, using the lesson template provided. 

Proficient - Includes most aspects of the lesson, using the lesson template provided. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Includes some aspects of the lesson, using the lesson template provided. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include all aspects of the lesson, using the lesson template provided; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The inclusion of all aspects of the lesson using the lesson plan template is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly identifies the learning standard that will be addressed and which NAEYC standard is being covered.

Proficient - Identifies the learning standard that will be addressed and which NAEYC standard is being covered, but one identification is slightly unclear.

Basic - Identifies the learning standard that will be addressed and which NAEYC standard is being covered, but one identification is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to identify the learning standard that will be addressed and which NAEYC standard is being covered; however, the identifications are significantly unclear.

Non-Performance - The identifications of the standards are non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Effectively differentiates how the lesson for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade children will be modified within the differentiation section of the lesson plan template.

Proficient - Sufficiently differentiates how the lesson for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade children will be modified within the differentiation section of the lesson plan template. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Differentiates how the lesson for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade children will be modified within the differentiation section of the lesson plan template. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to differentiate how the lesson for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade children will be modified; however, significant details are missing within the differentiation section of the lesson plan template.

Non-Performance - The differentiation of how the lesson for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade children will be modified is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes an exceptionally detailed closing paragraph that discusses which of the considerations for planning curriculum for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade students were taken into account when developing the lesson. All relevant details are present to support the discussion.

Proficient - Includes a closing paragraph that discusses which of the considerations for planning curriculum for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade students were taken into account when developing the lesson. Most relevant details are present to support the discussion.

Basic - Includes a closing paragraph that briefly discusses which of the considerations for planning curriculum for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade students were taken into account when developing the lesson. Some details are present but may not support the discussion. 

Below Expectations - Attempts to include a closing paragraph that discusses which of the considerations for planning curriculum for infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-grade students were taken into account when developing the lesson; however, few details are present to support the discussion.

Non-Performance - The closing paragraph is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content, but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work, and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Creates meaningful correlations among experiences outside of the classroom to deepen understanding of field of study and to broaden own viewpoints.

Proficient - Compares life experiences and academic knowledge to distinguish differences and similarities while acknowledging perspectives other than own.

Basic - Recognizes correlation between life experiences, academic texts, and ideas perceived as similar and related to own interests.

Below Expectations - Briefly comments about connections between life experiences and academic texts.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors, and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors, and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors, which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors, which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits basic knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements.

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.