For this assignment, I created a project that is meant to be paired with my ActivInspire flipchart. On the ActivInspire, I focused on CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.C.8, which is a common core mathematics standard for second grade. Essentially, students must solve word problems using bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. They must also use $ and ¢ symbols appropriately. As in my ActivInspire flipchart, I based the project on the assumption that students are already familiar with the types of coins and bills and have already begun adding them together. 
The project I created is a "trip" to the toy store. The students are required to choose four toys they want from the toy store and note their prices. If I were actually assigning this project, I would send a note home addressed to the parents letting them know that they should help their children find the prices online, if that's easiest.
Parents should encourage their children to stick to low prices since the students haven't been exposed to large sums yet. The students must then write the names and prices of the four toys on the provided worksheets, draw and color a picture of each toy, and write a sentence about why they want to buy the toy. They must remember to draw and color creatively, write neatly, and be mindful of writing in complete sentences.
After choosing their four toys, the students are required to select their favorite toy out of the four—they should also write the name and price of the toy on the provided page. To finish the project and further solidify their understanding of adding money, the students must use pictures and words to show one way they can use bills and coins to buy their favorite toy.
I also created a rubric to go along with this project. Since the students are only in second grade, I would judge them on a scale from outstanding to good to fair to poor. The rubric is spli
t into four different categories based on the instructions I provided with the project.
The first is a general category of "Required Elements," which judges based on the general requirements of the project. The
second is "Aesthetics & Writing," which grades the students on their ability to follow instructions, color their drawings, and write neatly and in complete sentences. The next category is "Appropriate Symbols," which requires the students to use the appropriate labeling symbols whenever necessary. The final category is "Combining Bills & Coins," which evaluates the student's ability to add bills and coins together to create a sum.
I really feel as though this assignment challenged me to think critically about evaluating students, which is something I had not done before. I personally believe that creating the project was easy. But, creating the rubric was difficult because I had to gauge the different levels of "completeness." I feel as though there is potential for so much variation between students so, especially with younger students, I think there is room for leniency. Regardless of the challenge I faced, this assignment taught me a lot about using rubrics in my future classroom. I learned about how I would implement them and what assignments they are most appropriate for.
To view the project and rubric, click here!
