The Power of Exemplars: Clearing the Path for Creativity

Why I Use Exemplars

I still remember tackling my probationary evaluation forms, not having the slightest clue where to begin. How many paragraphs? What tone should I use? How many examples should I include? Should I thank anyone? A colleague’s exemplar letter showed me where to start, and from there, I could weave in my own stories and voice, digging even deeper.

My first student teacher evaluation was another eye-opener. I felt completely lost until my co-teacher shared past evaluations. Those exemplars were a lifeline, grounding me in the process and allowing me to focus on the personal details that truly captured my student teacher’s growth.

Reflecting on these moments reminded me that if I, as a professional, benefit from exemplars, so can my students. An exemplar doesn’t replace creativity; it frees it.

Co-Creating Criteria for Shared Success

The main way that I utilize exemplars is to create an equal starting point for all of my students. We call it a "base." Displayed for no longer than 5 minutes (to prevent direct replication), it’s always accompanied by a quick class discussion. Guiding students in a brief, focused analysis:

• How much detail is included?

• Do you notice any evidence?

• How did this student demonstrate attention to detail?

• Where did the creator put the most amount of effort?

• Where do you think this student started with this project?

  
  

From these observations, we craft our rubric together—clear, concise, and accessible throughout the activity. This shared understanding allows students to push beyond the base, adding their own voice and creativity.

Classroom Impact: From Blank Page to Deep Analysis

One particular project that stands out was a one-page novel study we completed after a class read-aloud. I shared a Pinterest exemplar—no lecture, just the model—paired with group discussions on how each student could push their work beyond the exemplar.

Instead of blank stares at an empty page, I heard ideas flowing immediately. Students sketched, outlined, and dove into deeper analysis, all because they could see a clear path forward.

One Page Novel Study Exemplar Used

Student Created Projects

Parent Conferences: Exemplars as Powerful Conversation Starters

At our next parent–teacher conference, exemplars became a surprising tool to guide otherwise difficult conversations. A bright student had turned in a rushed draft that didn’t reflect his ability. Displaying the class exemplar beside his work, we let the models speak. It was clear that he had fallen short.

His eyes lit up as he asked, “Can I redo this?” That single moment sparked a turnaround that carried him through the year. Parents left the meeting understanding exactly what we expected, and that student left believing he could meet it.

If Not an Exemplar, Make it a Clear Expectation

As students become familiar with analyzing exemplars, they start to more frequently question expectations, quantity, and quality on smaller activities as well. Even when completing a written response on a worksheet, I’m clear about how many sentences I want, the level of evidence required, and the type of language they should use.

Being explicit about the expected "base" allows all learners to reach toward their full potential. If done consistently, students will start to internalize these expectations and push themselves to those standards independently.

Smart Scaffolds That Encourage Growth

Not every student needs the same support, so I provide smart scaffolds that can easily stem from the exemplar used. In a forest ecosystem project where the class received blank poster paper, select students were given a simple outline with subheadings and sentence starters directly from the co-created criteria (I created this outline with sharpie on a piece of poster paper and then made the required amount of copies in the printer). This allowed students to complete the expected work rather than spending their energy on understanding what the expected work was.

Each scaffold still comes with its own challenge: transform, adapt, and enrich. If a student simply hands in the basic template, I know we haven’t pushed far enough.

Authentic Exemplars from Real Students

Authentic exemplars come from past students. One of my favorite ways to collect student exemplars is using the scan tool in the Apple Notes app, which saves them as a PDF that I can store in my Google Drive. Seeing that “this was done by someone just like me” builds more confidence than any teacher example ever could.

Of course, if you’re starting a new project and don’t have any student work saved, don’t let that stop you. Use AI to support you in developing an exemplar, ask colleagues if they have something similar, or create one yourself. The key is providing a reference point for students to visualize the path to success.

Building Assessment Literacy Through Peer Review

One of my favorite activities early in the year is having students work in small groups to rank a mix of past HLAT exemplars, debating what makes one piece stronger than another. Those debates build assessment skills they’ll use to critique their own drafts, and before long, they’re offering each other constructive feedback without prompting.

Personal Narrative Exemplar Sort Activity

Suggested Lesson Layout for Exemplar Sort Activity

• Set up groups of 4-5

• Print the first slide and cut out levels of assessment

• Print each exemplar on larger paper

• Have groups collaborate to analyze the exemplars, completing the given tasks

• Have groups sort and order all exemplars based on levels of assessment

• Allow class to do a gallery walk to view other groups analysis and ranking

• Have a class wide analytical discussion regarding rankings and assessment

Reflection: Cementing Growth and Ownership

Reflection is a critical step in the learning process, where students can connect the dots between the base they started with and the work they ultimately created. By asking questions like:

• Which elements from the exemplar did you borrow?

• How did you make the model your own?

• Where did you break away to try something new?

  
  

we help students recognize their growth and the choices they made along the way. This step is essential for building ownership, reinforcing the habits of critical thinkers, and guiding future lessons that push their creative boundaries even further.

Bringing It All Together

In my experience—both as a new teacher and a longtime educator—exemplars bridge the gap between uncertainty and ownership. They become reference points in conferences, catalysts in lessons, a springboard for creativity and mirrors for self-assessment. If you’re ready to turn overwhelm into ownership, start by sharing a clear model, co-constructing criteria, and watching your students reach new levels.