The Rubric Song

(Sung to the tune of Ten Little Indians)

About ten years ago, I heard other teachers talking about “rubrics,” a word that had never been a part of my vocabulary. I’d never even heard of rubrics; I wondered where I’d been. But now I’m a full blown convert. Give me a rubric any day to clarify my otherwise hazy grading system. And what about rubrics for other areas of our lives as well -- for scoring dinner, conversations, subway rides…. Rubrics can be such fun. Let’s sing.

Always, sometimes, rarely, never,
Somewhat boring, somewhat clever,
Lousy, OK, finest ever,
Rubrics are such fun.

Eric Baylin has been a teacher for 39 years, working with a variety of age levels in both public and private schools in New York and North Carolina. He currently works at Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, New York, a K-12 independent school established in 1854. In addition to teaching art and photography to middle- and high-school students, Eric coordinates a program of collaborative faculty study groups in Packer's professional development program.

Lacking even one essential,
Shows some promise, has potential,
Positively presidential,
Rubrics are such fun.

Ill at ease and often fretting,
Fairly skilled in social settings,
Extrovert, a hit at weddings,
Rubrics are such fun.

Spineless, somewhat brave, courageous,
Healthy, barely fit, contagious,
Peaceful, agitated, rages,
Rubrics are such fun.

Graceful, mildly awkward, stumbles,
Eloquent, routinely mumbles,
Strong, uncertain, usually crumbles,
Rubrics are such fun.

If you choose to use a rubric,
You may find that it will lubric-
ate the grading, make it so quick.
Rubrics are such fun.

Five little, four little, three little, two bricks,
Very few words rhyme with “rubrics;”
Takes some thinking and a few tricks.
Rubrics are such fun.

Rate this song: especially clever,
Mildly funny, worst one ever.
Any chance to use a rubric
Makes your life more fun.

This is my 39th year in teaching. Ouch! It's hard to see that in print. Several years ago, I had one of those great "aha" moments that has given new life to my role as an educator.

I've always been interested in working to change schools in ways that enhance and support learning, but I'd gotten to a point in my career when I saw that all my serious, effortful striving played only a minimal role in change. The "aha" came when I realized that I could, at least, change my state of mind by laughing at the very things that bugged me most. OK, maybe not everything. But at least the little everyday stuff that nags at me and drags me down.

That thought became fodder for songs about school and teaching, which I started writing as a way of helping myself (and my colleagues) survive the year with an intact sense of humor.

I still work hard to change the things that stand in the way of student (and adult) success in schools. But now I wonder -- seriously -- if laughter itself isn't one of the soundest pedagogies, a "best practice" that can help us re-tune our schools and shift the culture to one that genuinely embraces wellbeing and lightness of heart as sound supports for learning.

I wouldn't mind working at a school whose mission statement included, after those ever-familiar phrases, "lifelong learning" and "supportive, yet challenging environment," the words

And this is a school where we love to laugh!

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11/27/2007