EXPO 2008

20 points

• personal background and career information that are necessary to understand the subject (famous person)
• important events and people that influenced the subject
• mistakes, obstacles, and risks that affected the subject and how he/ she achieved his/ her goals
• actions, qualities, or characteristics that make the subject special or interesting
• examples and stories provide supporting evidence for ideas
• impact of the subject’s life and actions on others and the world
• the subject’s most important motivation, philosophy or beliefs
• information provided is true and current (up-to-date)

20 points

• strong introductory paragraph attracts attention with generalization or questioning
• introductory paragraph includes a clear thesis statement
• information provided is relevant to the thesis and sub-topics; no unnecessary details
• sufficient amount of information to fully develop ideas presented
• ideas fit together, with logical order and flow
• paragraph organization is relevant to the most important themes in the subject’s life
• presents a clear problem and solution
• ties up loose ends and answers questions the reader might have about the subject
• strong conclusion paragraph clearly describes the mark the subject has left on the world

20 points

• strong, interesting, attractive or catchy title
• details and descriptive adjectives
• interesting word choice and vocabulary
• strong, active verbs (avoid be verbs)
• no unnecessary, “filler” words
• content is presented in clear, concise and easy-to-understand sentences
• varied sentence structure, with simple, compound and complex sentences
• essay sounds original, like the author’s own thoughts and ideas
• entertains, inspires, encourages or convinces the reader

20 points

• used 3 required resources: book, encyclopedia article & reliable website
• if no book, uses 3 more articles or websites to replace
• sources are relevant and reliable
• information in the essay matches what is on note cards
• no copying; all information is in the student’s own words
• direct quote is properly recorded with quotation marks
• sources are documented properly, according to MLA format

20 points

• 3^rd person point of view; no use of I, me, my or mine
• first line of each paragraph is indented
• consistent and appropriate use of verb tenses, especially correct past tense forms
• complete sentences with subjects, verbs, capital letters and end punctuation; no run-ons nor fragments
• subject-verb agreement; use correct verb to match subjects
• correct use of capital letters, punctuation and spelling
• correct use of homophones and easily-confused words

Best

Intermediate

Fair

Quality of Construction

(Diorama)

The diorama shows considerable attention to construction. The items are neatly trimmed. All items are carefully and securely attached to the backing. There are no stray marks, smudges or glue stains. Nothing is hanging over the edges.

The diorama shows attention to construction. The items are neatly trimmed. All items are carefully and securely attached to the backing. A few barely noticeable stray marks, smudges or glue stains are present. Nothing is hanging over the edges.

The diorama shows some attention to construction. Most items are neatly trimmed. All items are securely attached to the backing. A few barely noticeable stray marks, smudges or glue stains are present. Nothing is hanging over the edges.

Creativity

(Diorama)

Several of the objects used in the diorama reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display.

One or two of the objects used in the diorama reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display.

One or two objects were made or customized by the student.

Design

(Diorama)

Objects are an appropriate size and interesting shape and are arranged well. Care has been taken to balance the diorama scene.

Objects are an appropriate size and interesting shape and are arranged well. The diorama, however does not appear balanced.

Objects are an appropriate size and shape, but the arrangement of items is not very attractive. It appears there was not a lot of planning of the item placement.

Time and Effort

(Diorama)

Class time was used wisely. Much time and effort went into the planning and design of the diorama. It is clear the student worked at home as well as at school.

Class time was used wisely. Student could have put in more time and effort at home.

Class time was not always used wisely, but student did do some additional work at home.

Attention to Theme

(Discussion)

The student gives a reasonable explanation of how every item in the diorama is related to the assigned ecosystem. For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation.

The student gives a reasonable explanation of how most items in the diorama are related to the assigned theme. For many of the items, the relationship is clear without explanation.

The student gives a fairly and reasonable explanation of how most items in the diorama are related to the assigned theme.

Communication/Text

(Audio)

• Word choice is powerful –

specific, accurate, vivid, and descriptive.

• Communication is fluent,

expressive, detailed, and

original.

• Word choice is acceptable –

uses routine but effective

language.

• Communication is fluent and includes some detail.

• Word choice is mechanical / inappropriate words.

• Communication lacks

fluency, detail, and/or

originality.

Communication/Sound

(Audio)

• Narration creates strong

mood, tone, and/or impact.

• Demonstrates planning &

practice.

• High-quality volume, diction, fluency, and flow.

• Music/sound enhances

• Narration creates interest.

• Near conversational with few distractions

• Acceptable quality in

volume, diction, fluency, flow.

• Creates little emotional

impact or interest: monotone, unrehearsed reading.

• Low-quality volume, diction, fluency, or flow.

• Music/sound distracts