Assignment - Textbook Reviews

Assignment: Textbook Reviews
Link to Word File: http://coe.nevada.edu/ckeeler/SSM/Assignments/TextbookReviews.doc

Description:

Using an electronic version of the textbook evaluation form (available at http://coe.nevada.edu/ckeeler/SSM/Materials/TextbookEvalForm.doc), review one social studies textbook and all related adjunct material for that text. The text audience must include U.S. students between first and eighth grades and the content must focus on social studies generally, history, civics, economics, or geography. Begin by reviewing the textbook in a global way (i.e., number of chapters, material covered, ancillary materials included in the package, chapter organization, etc.). Then, examine one chapter in detail. The chapter you select should not be the first or last chapter; instead, choose a chapter closer to the middle of the textbook so you can obtain a clear view of how students are required to study and use the text. Complete the form electronically and print out your responses. Include a comprehensive review of the text with detailed responses written in sentence format.

Note: Copies of textbooks are available in the Curriculum Materials Library.

Textbook Reviews Grading Rubric

Name: ________________________________________ Section: __001 __002 __004 Total: ___/40

	5	4	3	2	1	0	Score
Professionalism
Correct Syntax (3)			No spelling, grammatical, or textual formatting errors. All comments written in complete sentences.	Few syntactical errors. Most comments written in complete sentences.	Many syntactical errors. Some comments written in complete sentences.	Replete with syntactical errors or lack of complete sentences.
Appearance and formatting (2)				Properly uses Word form, maintaining pre-set structure or improving upon that structure. Presentation is neat, orderly, and intuitive for readers to follow.	Properly uses Word form. Presentation is neat.	Presentation of content is presented in a disorderly manner or fails to use the assigned form.
Content
Text meets requirements (0)
Clear responses (5)	Responses are written clearly and concisely in complete sentences. Tone is professional and focused on clarity.	Responses are written clearly and concisely in complete sentences. Tone is professional, lacking clarity in only few responses.	Responses are written clearly and concisely in complete sentences. Tone is professional, but lacks clarity in some responses.	Responses are written clearly and concisely in complete sentences.	Responses are written clearly.	Responses lack clarity or professionalism.
Complete responses (10) Each section worth 2 points	90%+ of the items include detailed responses. 10 points	80%+ of the items include detailed responses. 8 points	70%+ of the items include detailed responses. 6 points	60%+ of the items include detailed responses. 4 points	50%+ of the items include detailed responses. 2 points	<50% of the items include detailed responses.
Demonstrates comprehensive and detailed review of text and adjunct materials (20) Each section worth 4 points	Item descriptions for both main text and adjunct materials (if available) provide detailed and include specific examples. Responses are thorough -- items provide supportive evidence for each selected rating. Overall text description and adjunct material descriptions (if available) are clear, complete, and detailed. 20 points	Item descriptions are detailed descriptions and specific examples. Responses are thorough. Overall text description and adjunct material descriptions (if available) are clear, and detailed. 16 points	Item descriptions for both main text and adjunct materials (if available) provide detailed descriptions. Responses are thorough. Overall text description is clear and detailed. Adjunct material descriptions (if available) are clear. 12 points	Item descriptions for both main text and adjunct materials (if available) provide detailed descriptions. Includes an overall text description and adjunct material descriptions (if available). 8 points	Item descriptions for both main text and adjunct materials (if available) provide descriptions. Includes an overall text description. 4 points	Item descriptions fail to provide ample information about the text and adjunct materials.