Dress Rehearsal With Rubric Peer Review

Groups do a full run of their routine in front of a "buddy" group that scores it with the same rubric used for the final assessment. With that feedback, they improve the routine before the showcase.

How to play

1. Review the rubric with an example: what each level (developing, proficient, advanced) means for safety, variety, transitions, music and expression. Pair up the groups (5 min).
2. Routine-specific warm-up and free run-through (8 min).
3. Group A performs for group B, who fill in the rubric. Spoken feedback: two strengths and one thing to improve (8 min).
4. Group B performs for group A, same procedure (8 min).
5. Improvement time: each group works on the feedback it received (12 min).
6. Quick second run to check the change (4 min).

Rules

• Feedback always starts with what works.
• Score the routine, never anyone's body or appearance.
• During runs, the reviewing group sits outside the mat area.
• Any figure the reviewers flag as unsafe must be changed.

Variations

Adaptations

• Reading difficulties: a rubric with icons and three faces for each level.
• Visual impairment: assesses timing to the music and the group's verbal communication; a partner describes the figures.
• Injured students: lead reviewer and gives feedback on behalf of their group.

Learning goals

• Apply a rubric to assess others' work thoughtfully.
• Give and receive constructive criticism.
• Improve the routine based on the feedback received.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym mats: 16
• speaker: 1
• printed rubrics: 12
• pencils: 12

Teacher tip

Pair groups of similar level so the feedback is useful. Collect the peer-review rubrics: they give you valuable information and count as evidence of assessment skills.

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