Distinguished - Introduces the theme/concept for the entire week and provides a rationale that comprehensively describes the developmental stage of the students. The description is well supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Introduces the theme/concept for the entire week and provides a rationale that describes the developmental stage of the students. The description is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Introduces the theme/concept for the entire week and provides a rationale that briefly describes the developmental stage of the students. The description is not sufficiently supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Introduces the theme/concept for the entire week and provides a rationale that minimally describes the developmental stage of the students. The description is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The introduction of the theme/concept and the rationale that describes the developmental stage of the students are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the work of a theorist whose beliefs support the use of this unit within this stage of development. The description is well supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Describes the work of a theorist whose beliefs support the use of this unit within this stage of development. The description is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly describes the work of a theorist whose beliefs support the use of this unit within this stage of development. The description is somewhat supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the work of a theorist whose beliefs support the use of this unit within this stage of development; however, the description is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The description of the work of a theorist whose beliefs support the use of this unit within this stage of development is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates five different lesson plans that directly relate to the chosen theme/concept of the unit. Each of the five lesson plans includes goals, objectives, standards, materials, introduction, lesson development, differentiation, assessment, and closing.

Proficient - Creates five different lesson plans that relate to the chosen theme/concept of the unit. Each of the five lesson plans includes goals, objectives, standards, materials, introduction, lesson development, differentiation, assessment, and closing. One of the plans is slightly unclear or underdeveloped.

Basic - Creates at least five different lesson plans that relate to the chosen theme/concept of the unit. Each of the five lesson plans includes goals, objectives, standards, materials, introduction, lesson development, differentiation, assessment, and closing. At least one of the plans is unclear or underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create five different lesson plans that relate to the chosen theme/concept of the unit; however, at least one of the lesson plans is unclear and significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The creation of five different lesson plans is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly explains how the lesson objectives measure concepts discussed in class. The explanation is well supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Explains how the lesson objectives measure concepts discussed in class. The explanation is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly explains how the lesson objectives measure concepts discussed in class. The explanation is not sufficiently supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the lesson objectives measure concepts discussed in class; however, the explanation is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the lesson objectives measure concepts discussed in class is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and comprehensively discusses a different genre of literature for each lesson plan. The discussion is supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Identifies and discusses a different genre of literature for each lesson plan. The discussion is mostly supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies and briefly discusses a different genre of literature for each lesson plan. The discussion is somewhat supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies and attempts to discuss a different genre of literature for each lesson plan; however, the discussion is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification and discussion of different genres are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Creates a clear and comprehensive plan for helping students’ families support literacy acquisition. The plan is well supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Creates a plan for helping students’ families support literacy acquisition. The plan is mostly supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Creates a brief plan for helping students’ families support literacy acquisition. The plan is somewhat supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to create a plan for helping students’ families support literacy acquisition; however, the plan is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The plan to help students’ families support literacy acquisition 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 - Demonstrates methodical application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is evident and easy to understand. Summaries, quotes, and/or paraphrases fit naturally into the sentences and paragraphs. Paper flows smoothly.

Proficient - Demonstrates sufficient application of organization and presentation of content. The purpose of the writing is, for the most part, clear and easy to understand. There are some problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper flows somewhat smoothly.

Basic - Demonstrates a limited understanding of organization and presentation of content in written work. The purpose of the writing is somewhat evident, but may not be integrated throughout the assignment. There are many problems with the blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly in all sections.

Below Expectations - Organization and presentation of content is extremely limited. The purpose of the writing is unclear. There is little or no blending of summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. Paper does not flow smoothly when read.

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 - 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.