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Examine the meaning of science
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline describing science as a process for gaining new knowledge
by writing a summary of science as a collection of knowledge
by writing a summary of science as a method of observation
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of science as a process
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of science as a process for gaining new knowledge
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
collection of knowledge summary identifies the key points regarding the methods of collecting knowledge
collection of knowledge summary includes only relevant and necessary details
collection of knowledge summary is concise without being sketchy
collection of knowledge summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
method of observation summary identifies the key points regarding the methods of observation
method of observation summary includes only relevant and necessary details
method of observation summary is concise without being sketchy
method of observation summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
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Summarize the goals of science
Assessment Strategies
by submitting a list of science goals
Criteria
list includes a classification of the three goals of science
list includes one example of each goal provided
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Explain the scientific method
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of the scientific method
by developing a flowchart of the scientific method
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the scientific method
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
flowchart depicts all of the items in the scientific method process
flowchart shows the relationship of one step to another
flowchart shows a clear understanding of the topic of the scientific method
flowchart shapes are used correctly
flowchart is neat and well organized
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Explore the benefits of science in the world
Assessment Strategies
by classifying benefits of science items into a list
Criteria
list includes three significant items to classify regarding the benefits of science
list gives a specific example of each benefit of science
list is categorized using significant characteristics of each benefit of science
list is correctly sorted into the categories of scientific benefits
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Explore detrimental effects of science
Assessment Strategies
by classifying detrimental effects of science items into a list
Criteria
list includes two significant scientific detrimental effects
list one example of each detrimental effect of science
list is categorized using significant scientific detrimental effects
list is correctly sorted into the categories
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Investigate environmental aspects of the soil on earth
Assessment Strategies
by writing an essay on soil as the basis of all life
by writing a summary of the general composition of soil
by comparing sandy and clay soil and reporting your findings in a paper
by completing a written product on the effect of soil pH on plant life
Criteria
Essay introduction includes a clearly stated thesis regarding soil as the basis of all life
Essay introduction introduces the main ideas regarding soil as the basis of all life
Essay main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
each essay main idea is developed in a paragraph
each essay main idea is developed using supporting material
essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
essay arguments are to the point
essay includes an interesting and thoughtful summary closing statement
essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
essay is neat and presentable
summary identifies the key points regarding the general composition of soil
summary includes only relevant and necessary details regarding the general composition of soil
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
comparison is based on important features or attributes of sandy and clay soil
comparison includes the similarities between sandy and clay soil
comparison includes the differences between sandy and clay soil
comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
comparison is neat and presentable
comparison evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
written product fulfills a clear purpose
written product reflects accurate analysis of the effect of soil pH on plant life
written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
written product follows an effective organizational plan
written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components of the effect of soil pH on plant life
written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage
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Summarize the environment of the water ways and water-cycles on earth
Assessment Strategies
by classifying unique properties of water into a list
by comparing the amount of salt water on earth to usable fresh water and reporting your findings in a paper
by developing an outline of the two types of fresh water on earth
Criteria
list is categorized using significant characteristics
list consists of five unique properties of water
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list consists of an explanation of each property of water
comparison is based on important features or attributes regarding the amount of salt water on earth verses usable fresh water
comparison includes the similarities between the amount of salt water on earth verses usable fresh water
comparison includes the differences between the amount of salt water on earth verses usable fresh water
comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
comparison is neat and presentable
comparison evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the two types of fresh water on earth
outline includes only relevant and necessary details regarding the two types of fresh water on earth
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Explore the environmental properties of the earth's atmosphere
Assessment Strategies
by creating a concept map/web of the basic composition of air
by developing an outline of atmospheric (barometric) pressure concepts
by classifying the two important functions of carbon dioxide essential to life on earth into a list
by writing a summary of the function of ozone in the upper atmosphere
Criteria
map/web main theme or concept is at the center and important related themes branch out from the core
map/web uses circles or ovals to enclose an important term or concept within the topic
map/web uses straight lines with arrows (single or double-headed) to link composition of air terms that are related
map/web includes at least five items regarding the basic composition of air
map/web concepts are arranged in a pattern that best represents the the basic composition of air
map/web concepts build on one another and show the relationship between the basic composition of air items
map/web is neatly presented
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas regarding atmospheric (barometric) pressure concepts
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline explains the origin of our understanding of atmospheric pressure
outline relates relative barometric pressure to weather patterns
outline relates relative barometric pressure to elevation
list includes the important functions of carbon dioxide essential to life on earth
list is categorized using significant characteristics of the important functions of carbon dioxide essential to life on earth
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
summary identifies the key points of the function of ozone in the upper atmosphere
summary includes only relevant and necessary details of the function of ozone in the upper atmosphere
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
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Summarize the types of resources found in the earth
Assessment Strategies
by classifying renewable energy source items into a list
by completing an investigative report on conservation
by writing a summary of the greatest hope for inexpensive production of electricity by the sun
by classifying types of biomass fuel items into a list
by writing a summary of the primary source of all information in the world
by developing an outline of the fundamentals of nuclear fission
by classifying general resources on the earth into a list
Criteria
list includes all of the significant renewable energy sources
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
report includes the purpose of the investigation on conservation
report includes an explanation of the conservation problems/issues
report documents actions that have been taken to solve or clear up the conservation problems/issues
report presents information in an organized (chronological) fashion
source information is properly cited in the report
works cited page is included
report includes appropriate headings to break up and format the text
report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
summary identifies the key points regarding inexpensive production of electricity by the sun
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
list is categorized using significant characteristics of biomass fuels
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list includes four types of biomass fuels
summary identifies the key points regarding the primary source of all information in the world
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the fundamentals of nuclear fission
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list includes all of the significant items to classify regarding general resources on the earth
list is categorized using significant characteristics of general resources on the earth
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list includes five general earth resources
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Examine the meaning of an ecosystem
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of ecosystem on earth
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of ecosystems on earth
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline defines an ecosystem
outline gives one example of an ecosystem cycle
outline describes the process of energy flow through an ecosystem
outline lists the percent distribution of suns energy between earth's atmosphere and surface
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Explain the hydrologic cycle
Assessment Strategies
by developing a flowchart of the hydrologic cycle
Criteria
flowchart depicts all of the items in the hydrologic cycle
flowchart shows the relationship of one step to another
flowchart shows a clear understanding of the topic
flowchart shapes are used correctly
flowchart is neat and well organized
flowchart explains why the hydrologic cycle is vital for the survival of an ecosystem
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Summarize the carbon/oxygen cycle
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of the carbon oxygen cycle
by writing a summary of the fundamentals of photosynthesis
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the carbon oxygen cycle
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
summary identifies the key points of the fundamentals of photosynthesis
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
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Explore the nitrogen cycle
Assessment Strategies
by writing a summary of the nitrogen cycle
by developing an outline of the importance of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
Criteria
summary identifies the key points of the nitrogen cycle
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
summary explains each component of the nitrogen cycle
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes the key points of the importance of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline describes the function of bacteria to relevent steps of the nitrogen cycle
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Classify the types of pollution produced by humans
Assessment Strategies
by classifying sources of air pollution into a list
by developing an outline of the major sources of water pollution
by writing a summary of solid waste disposal
by classifying hazardous waste items into a list
Criteria
list includes all of the significant items to classify
list is categorized using significant characteristics of air pollution
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list includes five sources of air pollution
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the major sources of water pollution
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline shows eight sources of water pollution
summary identifies the key points of solid waste disposal
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
summary includes the main component of urban solid waste
summary states the two current methods of solid waste disposal
summary describes the process of resource recovery
summary explains the current low technology method of resource recovery
summary discusses the high technology resource recovery method
list includes all of the significant items to classify
list is categorized using significant characteristics regarding hazardous waste
list gives six examples of hazardous waste
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Explain the effects of pollution on the environment
Assessment Strategies
by writing a summary of the effect of air pollution on the earth's ecosystem
by preparing a written response to a case study on treatment of a severely polluted lake
Criteria
summary identifies the key points of the effect of air pollution on the earth's ecosystem
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
case study response demonstrates a thorough understanding of relevant aspects of the case regarding treatment of a severely polluted lake
case study response outlines in detail the decision selected by the learner
case study response includes an explanation of why the treatment decision was selected
case study response is supported by relevant evidence
case study response is well organized
case study response evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Explore the concept of life
Assessment Strategies
by creating a concept map/web of processes which cause something to be considered living
Criteria
map/web main theme or concept is at the center and important related themes branch out from the core
map/web uses circles or ovals to enclose an important term or concept within the topic
map/web uses straight lines with arrows (single or double-headed) to link processes which cause something to be considered living
map/web includes at least three processes which cause something to be considered living
map/web concepts are arranged in a pattern that best represents the information
map/web concepts build on one another and show the relationship between items
map/web is neatly presented
map/web describes the interaction that a living organism must have with the environment
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Explain the cellular basis of life
Assessment Strategies
by writing an essay on the fundamentals of the cellular basis of life
Criteria
introduction includes a clearly stated thesis on the fundamentals of the cellular basis of life
introduction introduces the main ideas on the fundamentals of the cellular basis of life
main ideas are relevant, appropriate, and accurate
each main idea is developed in a paragraph
each main idea is developed using supporting material
essay arguments are based on logical assumptions
essay arguments are to the point
essay includes an interesting and thoughtful closing statement
essay evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
essay is neat and presentable
essay describes what a cell is
essay explains how all living things consist of cells
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Examine the components of an animal cell
Assessment Strategies
by classifying animal cell components into a list
by developing a flowchart of the animal cell structure
Criteria
list includes all of the significant animal cell components to classify
list is categorized using significant characteristics of animal cell components
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list defines the cytoplasm
list describes the nucleus
list describes the basics of cell respiration
list explains the purpose of the chromosomes
list defines the plasma membrane
list discusses the function of the endoplasmic reticulum
list describes the function of the golgi body
flowchart depicts all of the items in the animal cell structure
flowchart shows the relationship of one step to another
flowchart shows a clear understanding of the animal cell structure
flowchart shapes are used correctly
flowchart is neat and well organized
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Summarize the process of mitosis
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of mitosis
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of mitosis
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline describes what generally happens during mitosis
outline explains the purpose of mitosis
outline lists the four general stages of mitosis
outline describes the basic change at each mitosis stage
outline discusses the purpose of the spindle apparatus
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Summarize the process of meiosis (sexual reproduction)
Assessment Strategies
by writing a summary of meiosis
Criteria
summary identifies the key points of meiosis
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
summary discusses the purpose of meiosis
summary describes the basic chromosome changes during meiosis
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Differentiate between plants and animals
Assessment Strategies
by comparing the fundamental aspects of plants verses animals and reporting your findings in a paper
Criteria
comparison is based on important features or attributes of the fundamental aspects of plants verses animals
comparison includes the similarities between the fundamental aspects of plants verses animals
comparison includes the differences between the fundamental aspects of plants verses animals
comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
comparison is neat and presentable
comparison evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
comparison describes the processes of respiration in plants and animals
comparison outlines the level of activity between plants and animals
comparison indicates the relative amounts of the respiration gases between plants and animals
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Explore the science of Physics
Assessment Strategies
by classifying the general concepts of physics into a list
by writing a summary of the definition of physics
Criteria
list includes all of the significant general concepts of physics to classify
list is categorized using significant characteristics of the general concepts of physics
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
summary identifies the key points regarding the definition of physics
summary includes only relevant and necessary details the definition of physics
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
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Explain the basics of Newton's Laws of motion
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of Newton's three laws of motion
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline explains the meaning of each law of motion
outline provides one real example of each motion law
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Summarize the Universal Law of Gravity
Assessment Strategies
by writing a summary of the meaning of gravity
by comparing amount of mass and intensity of gravitational force and reporting your findings in a paper
Criteria
summary identifies the key points
outline includes main ideas of Newton's three laws of motion
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
comparison is based on important features or attributes regarding mass and intensity of gravitational force
comparison includes the similarities between the items of mass and intensity of gravitational force
comparison includes the differences between the items of mass and intensity of gravitational force
comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
comparison is neat and presentable
comparison evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
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Examine thermal energy
Assessment Strategies
by classifying thermal energy and heat items into a list
Criteria
list includes all of the significant items regarding thermal energy and heat
list is categorized using significant characteristics of thermal energy and heat
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
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Investigate the Laws of Thermodynamics
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of the Laws of Thermodynamics
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the Laws of Thermodynamics
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline lists the three laws of thermodynamics
outline explains the meaning of each law
outline provides a real world example of each law
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Explore the identity of electricity
Assessment Strategies
by creating a concept map/web of electricity
Criteria
map/web main theme or concept is at the center and important related themes branch out from the core
map/web uses straight lines with arrows (single or double-headed) to link electricity terms that are related
map/web includes at least five electricity components
map/web concepts are arranged in a pattern that best represents the information
map/web concepts build on one another and show the relationship between electricity components
map/web is neatly presented
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Classify the force of magnetism
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of magnetism
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline includes the relationship between magnetism and electricity
outline discusses the magnetic field of a rotating body
outline explains the operation of an electromagnet
outline describes how an electric motor works
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Illustrate electromagnetic energy
Assessment Strategies
by writing a summary of the fundamental concepts of electromagnetic energy
Criteria
summary identifies the key points of electromagnetic energy
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
summary describes the two components of electromagnetic energy
summary discusses wavelength, frequency, and speed of light
summary compares the colors of light and wavelength
summary gives two examples of color mixing
summary discusses the fundamental operation of a telescope
summary explains the concept of the electromagnetic spectrum
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Explore the science of Chemistry
Assessment Strategies
by creating a concept map/web of the general aspects of matter that are studied in chemistry
Criteria
map/web main theme or concept is at the center and important related themes branch out from the core
map/web uses circles or ovals to enclose an important term or concept within the general aspects of matter that are studied in chemistry
map/web uses straight lines with arrows (single or double-headed) to link terms that are related
map/web includes at least two general aspects of matter that are studied in chemistry
map/web concepts are arranged in a pattern that best represents the information
map/web concepts build on one another and show the relationship between general aspects of matter that are studied in chemistry
map/web is neatly presented
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Examine the identity of matter
Assessment Strategies
by classifying defining concepts of matter into a list
Criteria
list includes all of the significant items to classify regarding matter
list is categorized using significant characteristics of matter
list is organized and formatted using graphics or headers
list evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
list explains the difference between pure matter and a mixture
list gives one example each of pure matter and a mixture
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Investigate the atom
Assessment Strategies
by developing an outline of the basic fundamentals of atomic theory
Criteria
outline is prepared using the standard outline format (formal)
outline includes main ideas of the basic fundamentals of atomic theory
outline includes only relevant and necessary details
outline is written in clear phrases or sentences
outline is well organized and uses at least first and second level headings
outline provides both a preview or summary of the work
outline evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
outline explains how the atom is the building block of all matter
outline lists the three basic particles of the atom
outline describes the charge and relative mass of each of the three basic atomic particles
outline shows a diagram of the Bohr atom model
outline discusses the concept of quantized energy levels
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Explain the purpose of the Periodic Table of the Elements
Assessment Strategies
by writing a summary of the periodic table
Criteria
summary identifies the key points of the periodic table
summary includes only relevant and necessary details
summary is concise without being sketchy
summary evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
summary explains the periodic properties of the elements
summary lists three types of information that are available from the periodic table
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Summarize the term Element
Assessment Strategies
by creating a concept map/web of concepts which explain elements
Criteria
map/web main theme or concept is at the center and important related themes branch out from the core
map/web uses circles or ovals to enclose an important term or concept within the element topic
map/web uses straight lines with arrows (single or double-headed) to link terms that are related regarding elements
map/web includes at least five items regarding elements
map/web concepts are arranged in a pattern that best represents the information regarding elements
map/web concepts build on one another and show the relationship between concepts which explain elements
map/web is neatly presented
map/web explains the two characteristics which make a substance an element
map/web gives three examples of elements
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Differentiate between ionic and covalent bonding between atoms
Assessment Strategies
by comparing ionic and covalent bonding and reporting your findings in a paper
Criteria
comparison is based on important features or attributes on ionic and covalent bonding
comparison includes the similarities between ionic and covalent bonding
comparison includes the differences between ionic and covalent bonding
comparison includes logical conclusions drawn from the comparison
comparison is neat and presentable
comparison evidences correct grammar, punctuation and spelling
comparison identifies valence electrons
comparison explains the importance of valence electrons in chemical changes
comparison describes the formation of cations and anions from neutral elements
comparison explains the force involved in an ionic bond
comparison discusses the type of structure formed from ionic bonds
comparison gives two examples of ionic compounds
comparison describes the main characteristics of a covalent bond
comparison indicates the type of structure produced from covalent bonds
comparison gives two examples of molecular compounds