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Density of Minerals
Rubric

Grade 5-8 Performance Task
Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
NYS Alternative Assessment in Science Project (1996)

"Density of Minerals" - Scoring Rubric

Maximum score - 25 points

 


Task 1. Mass
6 points total

 

Standard: The student will determine and record precise measurements of mass.

Criteria:

  1. Mass of mineral A
    • Allow 2 points if the mass is +/-0.2 g.
    • Allow 1 point if the mass is +/-0.5 g.
    • No credit is given if the mass is +/->0.5 g.
  2. Mass of mineral B
    • Allow 2 points if the mass is +/-0.2 g.
    • Allow 1 point if the mass is +/-0.5 g.
    • No credit is given if the mass is +/->0.5 g.
  3. Labeling
    • Allow 1 point for labeling both measurements with units.
  4. Recording
    • Allow 1 point for all data accurately recorded to the nearest tenth of a gram.

Task 2. Volume
6 points total

Standard: The student will determine and record precise measurements of volume using the displacement method.

Criteria:

  1. Volume of mineral sample A
    • Allow 2 points if the mass if +/-1 cubic cm
    • Allow 1 point if the mass is +/-2 cubic cm
    • No credit is given if the mass is +/->2 cubic cm
  2. Volume of mineral B
    • Allow 2 points if the mass is +/- 1 cubic cm.
    • Allow 1 point if the mass is +/- 2 cubic cm
    • No credit is given if the mass is +/->2 cubic cm
  3. Labeling
    • Allow 1 point for labeling both measurements with units.
  4. Recording
    • Allow 1 point for all the data accurately recorded to the nearest whole millimeter.
Comment #1 -
The units cubic cm and ml are both acceptable based on the students' instruction.

Task 3. Volume Procedure
2 points total

Standard: The student will describe the displacement procedure for determining volume.

Criteria:

  • Allow 2 points for a clear, accurate description of the displacement method.
  • Allow 1 point for a partially accurate or partially unclear description.
  • No credit is given if the answer is unclear, inaccurate, or not provided.
  • Complete sentences are not required to receive credit.

Task 4. Density Calculations
8 points total

Standard: The student will calculate the density of mineral samples and show work.

Criteria:

Mineral sample A:

  1. Substitution
    • Allow 1 point for correct substitutions into the equation.
      (Units not required.)
  2. Calculation (See comment 2.)
    • Allow 2 points if the density is +/-0.2 grams per cubic cm or grams per ml.
    • Allow 1 point if the density is +/-0.5 grams per cubic cm or grams per ml.
    • No credit is given if the density is +/->0.5 grams per cubic cm or grams per ml.

Mineral sample B:

  1. Substitution
    • Allow 1 point for correct substitutions into the equation (Units not required.)
  2. Calculation (See comment 2.)
    • Allow 2 points if the density is +/-0.2 grams per cubic cm or grams per ml.
    • Allow 1 point if the density is +/-0.5 grams per cubic cm or grams per ml.
    • No credit is given if the density is +/->0.5 grams per cubic cm or grams per ml.

Labeling and Recording:

  1. Labeling
    • Allow 1 point if both answers are labeled correctly.
  2. Recording
    • Allow 1 point if both answers are recorded to the nearest tenth of a gram per cubic cm or gram per ml.

Comment #2. -

Double jeopardy: The student should not be penalized twice for the same error. Answers should be consistent with, and based on, data recorded in earlier parts of the equation.

Task 5. Rock Differences
3 points total

Standard:

The students will give a logical, scientifically accurate explanation for differences or similarities in rock densities.

Criteria:

  1. Sedimentary rocks are composed of cemented grains and include pore space or other minerals between the grains. The density of the sandstone is likely to be lower than the quartzite because of the inclusion of pore space or less dense minerals in the sandstone. The metamorphic process which produces the Quartzite causes a high amount of compaction.
    • Allow 2 points for a logical statement in complete sentences.
    • Allow 1 point for a logical answer that is not given in complete sentences.
    • No credit for inaccurate answers.
  2. Both samples are made of the mineral quartz and the density of quart is 2.65. Quartzite contains very little or no pore space.
    • Allow 1 point for a correct response.
    • Allow no points for an incorrect response.

Highest possible score - 25 points

"Density of Minerals" - Scoring Form

Student ID ______________

Male or Female (circle one)

Circle the student's score for each question. Add the points for each question and write the total score at the bottom of the scoring form.

1. Mass
+/- > 0.5 g
+/- 0.5 g
+/- 0.2 g
A. Mineral sample A
0
1
2
B. Mineral sample B
0
1
2
C. Labeling unit
0
1
 
D. Recording measurements to the nearest tenth
0
1
 
2. Volume
+/- > 2 cubic cm
+/- 2 cubic cm
+/- 1 cubic cm
A. Mineral sample A
0
1
2
B. Mineral sample B
0
1
2
C. Labeling units
0
1
 
D. Recording measurements to the nearest tenth
0
1
 
3. Procedure
0
1
2
4. Density      
Mineral sample A      
A. Substitution of correct data in the equation
0
1
 
B. Correct calculation of density
0
1
2
Mineral sample B      
A. Substitution of correct data in the equation
0
1
 
B. Correct calculation of density
0
1
2
Labeling and Recording      
A. Labeling units correctly
0
1
 
B. Recording measurements to the nearest tenth
0
1
 
5. Rock Differences      
A. Sandstone & Quartzite
0
1
2
B. Density of Quartz & Quartzite
0
1
 

TOTAL SCORE _____________

Total possible score - 25 points

 


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