A Qualitative Top 5 List

My colleague made the request below. And, because I had several (more pressing) tasks to complete I, naturally, dove in and blogged about it for the next hour.  

If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then I propose that the way to this man's creativity is through his procrastination.  

Jeez, what does that say about me as a learning coach and father?

Hi, fabulous MS teachers,

We're doing a mini-lesson on how we rate books (five-star system) on Friday on C side in grade 8. If you could fill in the blank to describe what 5 vs 4 vs 3 vs 2 vs 1 means, what would you say?

Your response could even relate to sports teams or movies or TV shows -- the point is this . . . the numbers MEAN  something to you. 

5 = 

4 =

3 =

2 =

1 =

This is hardly quick and easy but that's the way I like it.  Rating systems are, generally, designed to assess quality.

So, I'll channel Pirsig, Letterman, Sport Center's NOT Top Ten Plays and my own music library to handle this task:

1 - Too much detail without context (characters, setting, plot; chaotic.  Too much form and not enough function.  

Musical Metaphor:  The Pussycat Dolls

2 - Commonplace & Unmemorable.  The details and context are clear and, temporarily, interesting but fade with the next fad.  

Musical Metaphor:  Justin Bieber

3 - Standard Storytelling and/or Information is well-crafted.  Clarity helps tell an Interesting story but it lacks a Soul.  

Musical Metaphor:  Guns N' Roses Greatest Hits (as opposed to GNR's Appetite For Destruction)

4 - Storytelling and/or Information is still clear and interesting but draws on the reader's emotions and experiences to create an added layer of meaning.  

Musical Metaphor:  Bob Marley's Legend

5.  Doesn't just draw on a reader's emotions and experiences but influences them.  The reader is changed forever as a result of having read the text.  

Musical Metaphor:   Led Zeppelin IV  Just Kidding.  Zeppelin II touched my soul and I was never the same again.

So, what's your metaphor for a top 5 list?