Scoring Rubric

Saving the Earth's Natural Resources

Overview: Students use what they learned about Earth's natural resources to produce a natural resources newsmagazine. Students will write a narrative or news article about the importance of clean water, clean air, or protected forest areas in their community; a news article that promotes recycling; and a research article that describes an alternative energy source.

Writing a narrative or news article describing an important natural resource in students' community.	3	Narrative or article identifies the important resource and provides clear explanation of why it is important.
	2	Writing is generally clear and reflects accurate information. Explanation is easy to follow.
	1	Writing includes little or no accurate information. Explanation is difficult to follow.
Writing a feature article that promotes recycling and reusing glass, metals, plastics, and paper	3	Article is well written, using factual information. Information about each material (plastic, paper, metal, glass) is included with appropriate detail.
	2	Article is generally well written, and most information is factual. Information about most material is included with appropriate detail.
	1	Article is poorly written, with little factual information. Information about some or all of the materials is absent, or not in sufficient detail.
Writing a research article that describes the developments made in using solar, hydroelectric, or wind energy.	3	Article is well written, using factual information. Information about one type of energy is included in appropriate detail.
	2	Article is generally well written, but some information is not based on fact. Some information about the type of energy may be missing.
	1	Article is poorly written, with little information based on fact, or not enough information is given.

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