Journal Writing Grading Scale

First Grade

Journal writing counts for approximately 50% of a child’s writing grade. Each week, students write in their journal 3-5 times. Usually a topic is assigned, and 3 sentences on the same page are required.  By the 4th quarter, those 3 sentences should be in paragraph format, with a topic sentence.  Each journal entry can earn up to 15 points. Points are assigned as follows:

	1 Point	2 Points	3 Points
Spelling	Random letters or initial sounds only (d for dog) No sight words spelled correctly	Some attempt at phonetic spelling (dg for dog ) Some sight words spelled correctly	Phonetic spelling on harder words (wud for would) Most sight words spelled correctly
Conventions	No capitals or end marks	Some capitals and end marks used correctly	Most capitals and end marks used correctly
Word formation	No spacing between words	Some spacing between words, words may run into 2 lines	Nice spaces between words, all words on one line
Sentences	No sentence formation (I like)	Simple sentence structures (I like to play.)	More detail in sentences (I like to have snowball fights with my dad.)
Doing the assignment	Not on topic. 1 sentence instead of 3 sentences.	Stays on topic most of the time. 2 sentences instead of 3 sentences. Sentences are not on the same page.	Stays on topic all the time. Writes at least the 3 sentences required. Sentences are on the same page.

By the end of the year, grade level expectations for writing will include writing a simple letter, and writing a paragraph on an assigned topic.

If you have any questions on this or any other concern, please let me know.
-- Miss Maria