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Puddles and Soil
Rubric

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

Maximum Score
12 points

Tasks 1 & 2 - Directions
No credit

Tasks 3 & 4 - Soil Observations
2 points total

Standard: The student will examine the soil samples and make conclusions about the size of the particles that make up the sample.

Criteria:

  • Largest pieces (sand or soil - based on teacher's observation) - 1 point
  • Smallest pieces (silt) - 1 point

Tasks 5-11 - Directions
No credit

Tasks 12 & 13 - Data Table
1 point total

Standard: The students will record their data in a data table.

Criteria:

  • All three times should be recorded in seconds - 1 point

Task 14 - Bar Graph
4 points total

Standard: The students will graph the data from their data chart.

Criteria:

  • Both axes labeled - 1 point
  • Appropriate scale - 1 point
  • Bar graph drawn and consistent with 3 values from student's data - 2 points OR
  • Two values from data plotted correctly - 1 point

Task 15 - Best Puddle
3 points total

Standard: The students will choose the sample that makes the best puddle.

Criteria:

  • Sample that makes the best puddles (silt - based on data) - 1 point
  • Statement explaining choice in complete sentences - 2 points OR
  • Correct statement not in complete sentences - 1 point

Sample of acceptable answers: statement describes porosity, permeability, or capillarity


Task 16 - Gardener's Belief
2 points total

Standard: The students will explain why or why not they support the beliefs of the gardeners.

Criteria:

  • Student generalizes about permeability depending on particle size and/or sorting in complete sentences - 2 points OR
  • Correct explanation, not in complete sentences - 1 point

Highest possible score
12 points

Puddles and Soil - Scoring Form

Student ID _______________

Male / 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.

Tasks 1-2 - Directions  
no credit
 
3. Largest pieces - sand or soil
0
1
 
4. Smallest pieces - silt
0
1
 
Tasks 5-11 - Directions  
no credit
 
12. Data table
0
1
 
14. Graph of data      
  • Both axes labeled
0
1
 
  • Appropriate scale
0
1
 
  • Bar graph drawn and consistent with data
0
1
2
15. Best puddle      
  • Choice of silt sample or longest time
0
1
 
  • Statement explain choice
0
1
2
16. Gardeners' belief      
  • Explanation about permeability depending on particle size and/or sorting
0
1
2

TOTAL SCORE ______________

Highest possible score -12 points

 

 


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