Scoring Rubric

Sampling the Solid Earth

Overview: Students collect samples of minerals, rocks, and fossils.

Assessed Items	Points	What to Look For
Mineral Collection	3	An organized, diverse collection (at least 10 samples), identified and labeled
	2	A collection of fewer than 10 samples, identified and labeled
	1	An assorted collection, with some or all samples unidentified
Rock Collection	3	An organized, diverse collection (at least 10 samples), identified and labeled
	2	A collection of fewer than 10 samples, identified and labeled
	1	An assorted collection, with some or all samples unidentified
Fossil Collection	3	A collection of 5 or more fossils, each identified by the kind of organism and/or part from which it formed (for example, fern, shark tooth, brachiopod), the type of fossil (for example, mold, cast), where collected, and the age or geologic period in which the organism lived
	2	A collection of fewer than 5 fossils and or drawings of fossils, with identifications as above.
	1	A collection of fossils and/or drawings of fossils, with identifications and descriptions lacking
Landforms	3	A listing of local landforms, with at least some of the rock types identified, and the relative ages of rock layers inferred
	2	A listing of local landforms, with the relative ages of rock layers inferred
	1	A listing of local landforms