Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses the importance of reading to young children. The ideas are supported by appropriate scholarly sources.

Proficient - Discusses the importance of reading to young children. The ideas are supported by appropriate scholarly sources, but the discussion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly discusses the importance of reading to young children. The ideas are not sufficiently supported by appropriate scholarly sources and/or the discussion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss the importance of reading to young children; however, the ideas are not supported by appropriate scholarly sources, and the discussion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of the importance of reading to young children is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Identifies and comprehensively discusses resources for story/music time. The discussion is supported by appropriate scholarly sources.

Proficient - Identifies and discusses resources for story/music time. The discussion is supported by appropriate scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Identifies and somewhat discusses resources for story/music time. The discussion is not fully supported by appropriate scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Identifies and attempts to discuss resources for story/music time; however, the discussion is not supported by appropriate scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The identification and discussion of resources for story/music time are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly discusses how to decide what types of books are appropriate for young learners. The discussion is well supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Discusses how to decide what types of books are appropriate for young learners. The discussion is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Briefly discusses how to decide what types of books are appropriate for young learners. The discussion is not sufficiently supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how to decide what types of books are appropriate for young learners; however, the discussion is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The discussion of how to decide what types of books are appropriate for young learners is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Suggests titles of books that will benefit each type of literacy and thoroughly explains why these books will benefit each type. The explanation is fully supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Suggests titles of books that will benefit each type of literacy and explains why these books will benefit each type. The explanation is supported by scholarly sources but is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Suggests titles of books that will benefit each type of literacy and briefly explains why these books will benefit each type. The explanation is not supported by scholarly sources and/or is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Suggests titles of books that will benefit each type of literacy and attempts to explain how these books will benefit each type of literacy; however, the explanation is not supported by scholarly sources and is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The suggestion of titles of books and the explanation of the benefits of these books to each type of literacy are either nonexistent or lack 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 - The assignment meets the specific slide requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Proficient - The assignment per closely meets the slide requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Basic - The assignment meets over half of the slide requirement stipulated in the assignment description.

Below Expectations - A fraction of the slide requirement is completed.

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.