Assessment rubrics

Understanding of basic concepts

Parts of plants and their general function.
Plants as primary food producers converting sunlight into other forms of energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Effect of environmental conditions on seed germination and growth of plants.
Physical characteristics of soils.

R	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Significantly below the standard	Approaching the standard	The standard	Exceeds the standard
Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning. Demonstrates significant misconceptions. Requires additional learning activities and remediation.	Shows limited understanding of basic concepts by sketching a diagram of plant with limited accuracy and completeness, labelling supplied diagram of plant with limited accuracy, and giving partial explanations that are rarely appropriate of: The general function of the parts of flowering plants. The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy. A soil sample analysis. The germination requirements of tomato seeds.	Shows some understanding of basic concepts by sketching a diagram of plant with some accuracy and completeness, labelling supplied diagram of plant with some accuracy, and giving incomplete and sometimes appropriate explanations of: The general function of the parts of flowering plants. The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy. A soil sample analysis. The germination requirements of tomato seeds.	Shows general understanding of basic concepts by sketching a diagram of plant with general accuracy and completeness, labelling supplied diagram of plant with general accuracy, and giving nearly complete and generally appropriate explanations of: The general function of the parts of flowering plants. The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy. A soil sample analysis. The germination requirements of tomato seeds.	Shows thorough understanding of basic concepts by sketching an accurate and complete diagram of plant, labelling supplied diagram of plant accurately, and giving complete and appropriate explanations of: The general function of the parts of flowering plants. The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy. A soil sample analysis. The germination requirements of tomato seeds.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Significantly below the standard

Approaching the standard

The standard

Exceeds the standard

Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning.

Demonstrates significant misconceptions.

Requires additional learning activities and remediation.

Shows limited understanding of basic concepts by sketching a diagram of plant with limited accuracy and completeness, labelling supplied diagram of plant with limited accuracy, and giving partial explanations that are rarely appropriate of:

The general function of the parts of flowering plants.
The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy.
A soil sample analysis.
The germination requirements of tomato seeds.

Shows some understanding of basic concepts by sketching a diagram of plant with some accuracy and completeness, labelling supplied diagram of plant with some accuracy, and giving incomplete and sometimes appropriate explanations of:

The general function of the parts of flowering plants.
The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy.
A soil sample analysis.
The germination requirements of tomato seeds.

Shows general understanding of basic concepts by sketching a diagram of plant with general accuracy and completeness, labelling supplied diagram of plant with general accuracy, and giving nearly complete and generally appropriate explanations of:

The general function of the parts of flowering plants.
The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy.
A soil sample analysis.
The germination requirements of tomato seeds.

Shows thorough understanding of basic concepts by sketching an accurate and complete diagram of plant, labelling supplied diagram of plant accurately, and giving complete and appropriate explanations of:

The general function of the parts of flowering plants.
The transformation of energy from the Sun to food energy.
A soil sample analysis.
The germination requirements of tomato seeds.

Inquiry

Ask questions that lead to exploration and investigation.
State a prediction and a hypothesis based on an observed pattern of events.
Carry out procedures to explore a given problem and to ensure a fair test of a proposed idea, controlling major variables.
Make and record relevant observations and measurements.
Use appropriate tools for manipulating and observing materials.
Propose an answer to an initial question or problem and draw simple conclusions based on observations or research.

R	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Significantly below the standard	Approaching the standard	The standard	Exceeds the standard
Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning. Demonstrates significant misconceptions. Requires additional learning activities and remediation.	Applies few of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations. Shows little awareness of safety procedures.	Applies some of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations. Shows some awareness of safety procedures.	Applies most of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations. Usually shows awareness of safety procedures.	Applies all of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations. Consistently shows awareness of safety procedures.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Significantly below the standard

Approaching the standard

The standard

Exceeds the standard

Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning.

Demonstrates significant misconceptions.

Requires additional learning activities and remediation.

Applies few of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations.

Shows little awareness of safety procedures.

Applies some of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations.

Shows some awareness of safety procedures.

Applies most of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations.

Usually shows awareness of safety procedures.

Applies all of the required skills and strategies in Tomatosphere principal investigation and supplementary class investigations.

Consistently shows awareness of safety procedures.

Communication of required knowledge

Communicate questions, ideas, and intentions while conducting explorations.
Communicate procedures and results.
Identify common objects and events, using terminology and language that others understand.
Demonstrate that specific terminology is used in science and technology contexts.

R	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Significantly below the standard	Approaching the standard	The standard	Exceeds the standard
Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning. Demonstrates significant misconceptions. Requires additional learning activities and remediation.	Communicates with little clarity and precision rarely using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.	Communicates with some clarity and precision sometimes using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.	Generally communicates with clarity and precision usually using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.	Consistently communicates with clarity and precision always using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Significantly below the standard

Approaching the standard

The standard

Exceeds the standard

Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning.

Demonstrates significant misconceptions.

Requires additional learning activities and remediation.

Communicates with little clarity and precision rarely using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.

Communicates with some clarity and precision sometimes using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.

Generally communicates with clarity and precision usually using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.

Consistently communicates with clarity and precision always using appropriate terminology, vocabulary and symbols.

Application

Make connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow.

R	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Significantly below the standard	Approaching the standard	The standard	Exceeds the standard
Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning. Demonstrates significant misconceptions. Requires additional learning activities and remediation.	Makes very simple connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow.	Makes simple connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow.	Makes connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow using ideas of some complexity.	Makes connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow using complex ideas.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Significantly below the standard

Approaching the standard

The standard

Exceeds the standard

Produces insufficient evidence to demonstrate learning.

Demonstrates significant misconceptions.

Requires additional learning activities and remediation.

Makes very simple connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow.

Makes simple connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow.

Makes connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow using ideas of some complexity.

Makes connections between the needs of plants and how they are affected by the conditions in which they grow using complex ideas.