Goals for Unit (So Far):

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1.C
Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate current discussion to broader
themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others in the discussion and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas
and conclusions.
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I do this in the discussions about music and language and through the opinionairre and through
class discussions
The current discussion is music and beauty

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.3
Apply knowledge of language and understand how language functions in different contexts to make
effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
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Grammar in songs (incorrect)

Song analysis
Text rendering activity
Music with lyrics vs. instrumental
Word choice and meaning

Rubric
As a whole the class will learn to define what makes literature beautiful through an extended definition
essay, which is, according to Smag, an in depth comparison/contrast essay. The textual examples are
from the Romantic era of literature, as it often is used to represent beautiful literature.
I have decided that there will be rubrics for each sectionmusic, poetry, and literatureand that each
section will have a small compare/contrast essay which will then be squished together to make the
extended definition essay.
Extended Definition Essay What Makes a Work Beautiful? (examples of music, poetry, and literature)
For this lesson/section I need a rubric for the Music Section What makes Music Beautiful?
In the Dionysian myth, music is conceived as internal sound breaking forth from the human breast; in
the Apollonian view music is exact, serene, mathematical, associated with transcendental visions of
Utopia and the Harmony of the SpheresIn the Dionysian view music is irrational and subjective. It
employs expressive devices: tempo fluctuations, dynamic shadings, tonal coloringsabove all, it is the
musical expression of the romantic artist(97-98).

Schafer, R. Murray. "The Soundscape." The Sound Studies Reader. By Jonathan Sterne. New York:
Routledge, 2012. 97-98. Print.
Some of the questions for the music compare/contrast essay an come from opinionairre, song analysis,
and class discussions/student answers on beauty and what makes a song beautiful (daybook entry).
Rubric example in ranking, judging, evaluating article (strong/ok/weak in areas on content, language,
mechanics, revision, and overall).
Category
Content, Insights,
Thinking, Grappling
with Topic
Genuine Revision,
Substantive Changes,
Not Just Editing
Language: Sentences,
Wording, Syntax, Voice
Mechanics: Spelling,
Grammar, Punctuation,
Proofreading
Overall

Strong

OK

Weak

Dr. Hartmans feedback from Draft 1 of rubric was this:

How do you see the rubric giving you a student grade?
Think about how you can set up the rubric in a way that helps you justify a grade for student work.
Rubric from Draft 1:

A general introduction in which you provide an overview for your definition

A set of criteria or rules that state clearly what beauty is and is not
For each criterion, an example from literature, music, songs, art or your personal experiences
that illustrates the rule at work; at least half of your examples must come from the literature
studied in class
For each criterion, a counterexample from literature, music, art, or personal experiences that
appears to meet the conditions of the rule yet that lacks some essential ingredient; at least half
of your counterexamples must come from the literature studied in class
For each example and counterexample, a warrant that clearly explains why the rule is or is not
being met
For your whole argument, a counterargument expressing the viewpoint of someone who might
disagree with you
For the counterargument, a rebuttal in which you defend your position
Conventional grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage throughout your essay
Evidence of having written at least one rough draft that has been submitted for peer evaluation

The above rubric would be able to be graded if each bullet point was a mile marker in the process; if
each part was a grade (in points for example), by themselves they would not be many points, but added
together they would be. This would be a repetitive process since I would be doing this for each section.
General introduction and overview
Set of criteria/rules
Examples that illustrate the criterion/rules
Counterexamples for criterion/rules that meet them, but lack something
Warrant for examples and counterexamples explaining why criterion/rules are met/not met
Counterexample for whole argument (prosecution)
Rebuttal for counterargument (defense)
Conventional grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage throughout essay
Evidence of at least one rough draft submitted for peer evaluation
Total: 9 categories
If each category were three points, the total for that essay would be 27 points. 27x3=81. That would
make all three mini essays worth 81 points together. If everything is 5 points each, then added up,
everything is 45 points and all mini essays added up are 135 points. How much then, is the Extended
definition essay worth? 135+65=200. Lets say the extended definition essay/final exam is worth 200
points. 65+65+65+5=200. 5x13=65 3x21=63 7x9=63 63x3=189. Askdjfhaktgrmdf. This is why I dont do
math.