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Peabody TeachFor teachers and grown-ups

Poster rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8

This poster rubric scores an informational poster on four or five things: the title and main idea, accurate content, layout, pictures and labels, and neat, correct writing. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points, with content counting twice; K–2 uses three levels in plain words, with no points. Print it, copy it into Google Docs, or open it in the rubric maker to change any cell.

Written for Peabody Teach. Checked . Free to print, copy and change.

Grades K–2

3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).

Poster rubric (Grades K–2)Name ____________________ Date ________
CriteriaWow!YesNot yet
Big titleMy title is big, easy to read, and tells my topic.My poster has a title.My poster has no title yet.
My factsI share three or more true facts.I share two true facts.I share one fact or none yet.
Pictures and labelsMy pictures match my facts and all have labels.My pictures match my facts.My pictures do not match, or I have none.
Neat workMy poster is neat, colorful, and fills the page.My poster is mostly neat.My poster is messy or not finished.
Open in the maker
  • I can give my poster a big title.
  • I can put true facts on my poster.
  • I can add pictures with labels.
  • I can make my poster neat and colorful.

Grades 3–5

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

Poster rubric (Grades 3–5)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Title and main ideaA large, readable title and a main idea a reader gets at a glance.A readable title that names the topic.The title is small or unclear.The poster has no title./ 4
Contentcounts ×2Five or more accurate, important facts in the student's own words, grouped by subtopic.Three or four accurate facts in the student's own words.Few facts, some partly wrong or copied.Facts are missing, wrong or copied./ 8
LayoutClear sections with headings, good use of space, and an easy path for the eye.Organized into sections with some headings.Crowded or scattered in places.Hard to read; no order./ 4
Pictures and labelsEvery picture teaches something and has a clear label or caption.Pictures fit the topic and most are labeled.Pictures are only decoration, or labels are missing.No pictures, or they do not fit./ 4
Neat and correctNeat and readable from a few steps away, with no spelling errors.Neat, with only a few spelling errors.Messy in places, with several errors.Hard to read, with many errors./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can make the topic and main idea clear at a glance.
  • I can share accurate, important facts in my own words.
  • I can arrange my poster so it is easy to read.
  • I can choose pictures that teach and label them.
  • I can use neat writing with correct spelling.

Grades 6–8

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

Poster rubric (Grades 6–8)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Purpose and audiencePurpose and audience are clear, and every choice of words and pictures serves them.Purpose is clear, and most choices suit the audience.Purpose is vague, or choices do not suit the audience.No clear purpose./ 4
Content and sourcescounts ×2Accurate, well-chosen information with precise vocabulary and two or more reliable sources cited.Accurate information with sources cited.Partly accurate; sources missing or unreliable.Inaccurate or copied; no sources./ 8
DesignA clear hierarchy of headings, balanced space and strong contrast make it readable from across the room.Headings and spacing make it easy to read up close.Cluttered, or the reader's path is unclear.No visible organization./ 4
Graphics and dataDiagrams, charts or images add information the text does not, with accurate labels and captions.Graphics support the text and are labeled.Graphics are decorative or poorly labeled.No graphics, or they mislead./ 4
ConventionsConcise text with no errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation.Clear text with a few minor errors.Wordy, or errors distract the reader.Errors make it hard to understand./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can design my poster for a clear purpose and audience.
  • I can present accurate information and cite my sources.
  • I can use headings, space and contrast to guide the reader.
  • I can use diagrams, charts or images that add information.
  • I can write concise text with correct spelling and grammar.

When to use it

  • An informational poster on any topic: an animal, a state, a planet, a person from history, a healthy habit.
  • A gallery walk, where classmates leave a note on one row for each poster.
  • Hand it out with a sketch sheet, so students plan the layout before they glue anything.

What to say to students

  • Someone walking by should know your topic in three seconds. Make the title big.
  • Pick your best facts. A poster is not a page of writing.
  • Every picture needs a label or a caption.
  • Sketch it in pencil first, then make it neat.

Related

The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.