Creative Flexibility Rubric—Middle School

4

3

2

1

Patterns

I often see similarities between very unlike objects and ideas and frequently find unusual patterns in language, nature, and behavior.

I sometimes see similarities between very unlike objects, and I find patterns in language, nature, and behavior.

If someone helps me, sometimes I can see similarities between unlike objects and ideas. I sometimes see patterns in the world around me.

I have difficulty seeing how unlike objects and ideas are alike. I seldom see patterns in the world around me.

Humor

I often see and hear humor in language, situations, and my own thoughts and ideas, and frequently I can write, tell, act out, or draw things that other people think are funny.

I see humor in language and situations, and often I can say, make, or do things that people think are funny.

I sometimes see and hear humor in the world around me, and I sometimes make, do, or say things that people think are funny.

I rarely see and hear humor in the world around me, and I rarely make, do, or say things that people think are funny.

Language Appreciation

I notice powerful, interesting, clever, and beautiful language in reading and speaking.

I notice effective language in speaking and reading.

With help, I can notice effective language in speaking and reading.

I rarely notice when language is effective.

Language Play

I like to play with language, to learn and make up new words. I like to use familiar phrases in unusual ways, and create jokes, puns, and riddles.

I like to learn and use new words and make up jokes.

Sometimes I like to learn new words and make up jokes.

I am not usually interested in learning new words or making up jokes.

Language Use

I can use language in surprising and unusual ways to entertain, inform, and persuade others.

I can use language effectively to communicate with others.

I need some help to use language effectively.

I cannot use language effectively.

Invention

I can think of how everyday things could be improved to be more beautiful or more efficient. I can think of ways to use everyday items in unusual ways to accomplish tasks.

I sometimes see how everyday things could be improved. I sometimes use everyday items in unusual ways.

If I have help, sometimes I can think of ways that everyday things could be improved. I need help to think of ways to use everyday items in unusual ways.

I cannot think of ways to improve everyday things. I rarely think of ways to use everyday items in unusual ways.

Imagination

I use my imagination and what I know about the world around me to create ideas and pictures that do not exist in the real world but that have meaning for others and for me.

I use my imagination to create ideas and pictures that do not exist in the real world.

I sometimes use my imagination to create things that do not exist in the real world.

I rarely use my imagination.

Elaboration

When I write, make, or do something, I use my knowledge and skill in the subject area to make surprising and unusual changes or additions to make it more powerful, more beautiful, more efficient, or more meaningful.

I use my knowledge and skill in a subject to create surprising and interesting things.

With help, I sometimes create surprising and interesting things.

I cannot create surprising and interesting things.