Observation Journal Rubric

To be successful problem solvers, innovators, and leaders, we must develop and hone our curiosity, our creativity, our ability to sense and to observe with great awareness, and our capacity to synthesize ideas. Curiosity, Creativity, Observation, and Synthesis can be developed and enhanced through careful and deliberate practice. Observation journals provide a powerful means of practice. Sample of Synergy 8 Essential Learnings Addressed:
Inquiry & Deep Questioning: I can brainstorm and generate questions and ideas. I can explore and synthesize thinking. Problem & Solution ID: I can pose problems and solutions. I can research community needs and desires. Data Gathering & Analysis: I can collect pertinent data. I can engage data in multiple representations. Communication & Collaboration: I can communicate in writing, graphics, and conversation.

Scoring Observation Journals Level Descriptors

4 3 2 1

Curiosity: Creativity: Observation: Synthesis: Curiosity: Creativity: Observation: Synthesis: Curiosity: Creativity: Observation: Synthesis: Curiosity: Creativity: Observation: Synthesis:

Inquiry causes others to pose comments/questions about the nature and implications of what has been observed. Questions promote specific research ideas, detailed data collections, and more sustainable solutions. Entry spurs interesting thinking, reflection, and imagery from otherswho create additional chapters to the story. Post proposes a vision of what could be that incorporates community member input and vision. Communicates empathy and passion for a project far beyond just completing an assignment. Contributes multi-media story or links for connected innovation. Tightly connects project ideas through association. Categorized and tagged. Journal poses deep questions about the nature and implications of what has been observed. Questions point to possible research ideas, data collection, and further explorations. Entry reveals interesting thinking, reflection, and imagerytells a story rather than merely reports. Post provides balance of general ideas and specific details/evidence. Emerges into deeper thinking and risk taking. Includes strong sentences and images. Goes into depth. Explores connectivity of ideas through association. Categorized and tagged. Journal poses one or two questions about the implications for what has been observed. Entry is a basic report, skims the surface of topics/ideas, and reads like a simple diary. Post records detail and evidence, yet needs to provide more context. ORProvides only general information without balanced details. Describes at a surface level. Categorized and tagged. Journal merely describes what has been observed. Entries are minimalistic reports with weak context or insight. Post jots down basic thoughts. Description seems rushed, brief, hasty, and overly general. Journal uses short phrases only. Categorized or tagged.

Notes/Comments:

Created by Bo Adams and Jill Gough