Assessment Overview: Local Event Assignment & Rubric

Assessment Overview: Local Event Assignment & Rubric
Weeks 6, 9, 12, and 15

At the end of each three-week cycle, you have an opportunity to earn extra credit (4 points) by completing a Local Event Assignment. The Local Event Assignment is an Event Study Assignment performed individually.

Goal: Identify the E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions for the spheres Then synthesize the E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions into causal chains.

Assignment (by midnight Sunday)
1. Select a local event that is of interest to your students and of relevance to your curriculum. An example of a local event might be the creation of a dam on a local river or the development of a shopping center in your community.

Posting instructions for steps 2-3

Go to the Classroom, then click on Local Event Space.

2. List your questions, theories, and prior knowledge about the spheres and the event.

3. Use the Local Event Rubric as a guide and work as an individual to:

Identify the E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions with reasoning and support for the event you are studying this week.

Draw from your E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions to list chains of interactions between the event and three or more spheres. Refer to the Week 3: An Example of an ESS Analysis if you would like to review causal chains.

Rubric
Your Local Event assignment needs to include:

List of the E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions with reasoning and support.
List of chains of interactions between the event and 3 or more spheres.

You should write as many E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions as you can that include accuracy, depth of reasoning, and quality of support. Use the rubric below to evaluate and improve your analysis.

Using your E > S, S > E, and S > S interactions, create causal chains. Your work will be graded based on the rubric being applied to each causal chain you list. Each causal chain that earns a 3 or 4 rating will be worth one point toward the maximum four points you can earn for this assignment.

Rubric Criteria: Accuracy

4 Rating:
Powerful, comprehensive, statements. 3 Rating:
Comprehensive statements. 2 Rating:
Clear, complete statements. 1 Rating:
Simple statements that are partially correct.

Rubric Criteria: Depth of Reasoning

4 Rating:
Reasoning completely supports the hypothesized effect or interaction. 3 Rating:
Uses scientific reasoning, concepts, and processes to explain the interaction. 2 Rating:
Includes science concepts and processes in the reasons for the effect and the interaction. 1 Rating:
Explains at least two reasons for the effect or interaction.

Rubric Criteria: Quality of Support

4 Rating:
Compelling use of existing research and knowledge. 3 Rating:
Uses logical support that is convincing using data and authority. 2 Rating:
Uses reliable data from multiple sources. 1 Rating:
Uses relevant and respected authorities.