Title : Problem Solving and Reasoning Rubric—Elementary
Description : A rubric in student language used by elementary students to self-assess their problem solving and reasoning skills.
Keywords : Analysis, strategies, uncertainty, open-ended, problems, reflection, processes, communication
Instructions : Use this rubric to assess your problem solving skills.
Categories
Grade Level : 3-5
Subject :
Type of Assessment :
Project Lemonade Assessment: Problem Solving
4 3 2 1
Anticipating Problems I think ahead about problems I I usually think ahead about With help, I can tell what I have a hard time
might have. I think of ways to problems I might have. I try problems I might have. I knowing what problems I
avoid problems. to think of ways to avoid sometimes try to think of might have. I do not think
problems. ways to avoid problems. of ways to avoid problems.
Analyzing Problems I take a lot of time to think I think about a problem If someone reminds me, I I usually just start solving
about a problem before I try to before I start solving it. think about a problem a problem without
solve it. I use problem solving before I solve it. thinking about it.
tools when I solve problems,
even outside of school.
Using Strategies I know several strategies for I use some of the strategies If someone reminds me, I I do not use the strategies
solving problems, such as I learned to solve problems. use a strategy I learned to I learned to solve
making models and diagrams. I solve problems. I usually problems.
can choose a good strategy. try to solve problems using
trial and error. I usually
Finding Information When I have a problem, I can I can tell the difference need help thinking of a
I sometimes get confused I often focus on
separate the important between important and about what information is unimportant information
information from the unimportant information important when I solve a when I solve a problem. I
unimportant information. I when I solve a problem. I problem. If someone helps rarely know when I need
know when I need more get more information when me, I get more information to get more information.
Dealing with Uncertainty information to solve a problem,
I like working on problems I need it.
I can work on problems when I need it.
With help, I can work on I often get frustrated and
without simple answers. without simple answers. problems without simple refuse to work on
answers, but I sometimes problems without simple
get frustrated and do not answers.
want to continue.
Reflecting on Processes I reflect on how I worked on a I reflect on how I worked With guidance, I reflect on I rarely reflect on my
problem, and I learn from my on a problem. I usually use my problem solving problem solving
failures and my successes. I use what I learn in future processes. I sometimes processes. I often make
what I learn in future problems. problems. make the same mistakes the same kinds of
twice. mistakes over and over.
Communicating Solutions I thoroughly describe my I describe my solution to a I try to describe my I cannot describe my
solution to a problem and problem and can explain solution to a problem and solution to the problem,
thoroughly explain how I how I solved it. partly explain how I and I cannot explain what
solved a problem. solved it. I did when I tried to solve
it.
project
Student Assessment: Problem Solving
lemonade
4 3 2 1
Anticipating Problems I think ahead about problems I I usually think ahead about With help, I can tell what I have a hard time knowing
might have. I think of ways to problems I might have. I try to problems I might have. I what problems I might have. I
avoid problems. think of ways to avoid sometimes try to think of ways do not think of ways to avoid
problems. to avoid problems. problems.
Analyzing Problems I take a lot of time to think I think about a problem before If someone reminds me, I think I usually just start solving a
about a problem before I try to I start solving it. about a problem before I solve problem without thinking
solve it. I use problem solving it. about it.
tools when I solve problems,
even outside of school.
Using Strategies I know several strategies for I use some of the strategies IIf someone reminds me, I use a I do not use the strategies I
solving problems, such as learned to solve problems. strategy I learned to solve learned to solve problems.
making models and diagrams. I problems. I usually try to solve
can choose a good strategy. problems using trial and error.
I usually need help thinking of
a strategy.
Finding Information When I have a problem, I can I can tell the difference I sometimes get confused I often focus on unimportant
separate the important between important and about what information is information when I solve a
information from the unimportant information when important when I solve a problem. I rarely know when I
unimportant information. I I solve a problem. I get more problem. If someone helps me, need to get more information.
know when I need more information when I need it. I get more information when I
information to solve a need it.
problem, and I have several
strategies to find what I need.
I like working on problems I can work on problems With help, I can work on I often get frustrated and refuse
Dealing with
Uncertainty without simple answers. without simple answers. problems without simple to work on problems without
answers, but I sometimes get simple answers.
frustrated and do not want to
Reflecting on Processes I reflect on how I worked on a I reflect on how I worked on a continue.
With guidance, I reflect on my I rarely reflect on my problem
problem, and I learn from my problem. I usually use what I problem solving processes. I solving processes. I often make
failures and my successes. I learn in future problems. sometimes make the same the same kinds of mistakes
use what I learn in future mistakes twice. over and over.
problems.
Communicating I thoroughly describe my I describe my solution to a I try to describe my solution to I cannot describe my solution
Solutions solution to a problem and problem and can explain how I a problem and partly explain to the problem, and I cannot
thoroughly explain how I solved it. how I solved it. explain what I did when I tried
solved a problem. to solve it.