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Chemical Changes
Rubric

Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
NYS Alternative Assessment in Science Project (1996)

Maximum Score
9 points

Part A6. Baking Soda and water observations
2 points total

Point Criteria:

  • Allow 1 point for each valid observation up to a maximum of 2 points. If more than 2 observations are listed, correct the first 2 only.
  • Sample of acceptable responses:

    - A solution of baking soda is made.
    - A white paste is made.
    - The powder dissolves/disappears in the water or liquid.
    - It feels cool. (Tap water temperature can affect bag temperature.)

    Sample of unacceptable responses:

    - Nothing happens.
    - Any incorrect observations.

  • No credit is awarded if the student did not follow directions.

Part B6. Baking soda and vinegar observations
2 points total

Point criteria:

  • Allow 1 point for each valid observation up to a maximum of 2 points. If more than 2 observations are listed, correct the first 2 only.
  • Sample of acceptable responses:

    - The baking soda and vinegar fizzed or bubbled.
    - The bag felt cold.
    - The solution turned white or milky.
    - The bag blew up.

    Sample of unacceptable responses:

    - Nothing happens.
    - Any incorrect observations.

  • No credit is awarded if the student did not follow directions.

1. Where did a chemical change occur?
1 point total
  • Identifying the baking soda and vinegar bag
  • - Accept any student's response correctly based on his/her data.

2. Explain why a chemical change occurred
2 points total

Point Criteria:

  • Allow 1 point for each valid reason up to a maximum of 2 points. If more than 2 reasons are listed, correct the first 2 only.
  • Sample of acceptable responses:

    - The solution bubbled or fizzed.
    - The temperature changed.
    - A gas or new substance was produced.
    - The bag blew up.
    - When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, a gas (CO2) is produced.
    (Credit is awarded even if the gas is incorrectly identified.)
    - When an acid combines with a base, there is a chemical change.

    Sample of unacceptable responses:

    - There was a color change.

3. Substance left if the solution sat out in the sun
2 points total

Point Criteria:

  • Allow 1 point for identifying the remaining substance as a dry powder (baking soda) or white substance.
  • Allow 1 point for identifying the reason as evaporation.

Highest possible score
9 points

Student ID ___________________

Scoring Form - Chemical Changes

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.

Question
Circle Point
Breakdown
Points Earned

Part A
6. Baking soda and water bag

First observation
0
1
 
Second observation
0
1
___________
Part B
6. Baking soda and vinegar bag
     
First observation
0
1
 
Second observation
0
1
___________
1. Location of chemical change
0
1
___________
2. Reasons for change
0

1

2

___________
3. What remains?
     
Description of substance
0
1
___________
Reason for answer
0
1
___________

Total Score __________________

Total possible score - 9 points

 


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