Evaluation - Raging Waters!  
 Group Planning - Research Project :

Ideas/Research Questions

Researchers independently identify at least 4 reasonable, insightful, creative ideas/questions to pursue when doing the research.

Researchers independently identify at least 4 reasonable ideas/questions to pursue when doing the research.

Researchers identify, with some adult help, at least 4 reasonable ideas/questions to pursue when doing the research.

Researchers identify, with considerable adult help, 4 reasonable ideas/questions to pursue when doing the research.

Group Timeline

Group independently develops a reasonable, complete timeline describing when different parts of the work (e.g., planning, research, first draft, final draft) will be done. All students in group can independently describe the high points of the timeline.

Group independently develops a timeline describing when most parts of the work will be done. All students in group can independently describe the high points of the timeline.

Group independently develops a timeline describing when most parts of the work will be done. Most students can independently describe the high points of the timeline.

Group needs adult help to develop a timeline AND/OR several students in the group cannot independently describe the high points of the timeline.

Delegation of Responsibility

Each student in the group can clearly explain what information is needed by the group, what information s/he is responsible for locating, and when the information is needed.

Each student in the group can clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating.

Each student in the group can, with minimal prompting from peers, clearly explain what information s/he is responsible for locating.

One or more students in the group cannot clearly explain what information they are responsible for locating.

Plan for Organizing Information

Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered and in the final research product. All students can independently explain the planned organization of the research findings.

Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information in the final research product. All students can independently explain this plan.

Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered. All students can independently explain most of this plan.

Students have no clear plan for organizing the information AND/OR students in the group cannot explain their organizational plan.

Quality of Sources

Researchers independently locate at least 2 reliable, interesting information sources for EACH of their ideas or questions.

Researchers independently locate at least 2 reliable information sources for EACH of their ideas or questions.

Researchers, with some adult help, locate at least 2 reliable information sources for EACH of their ideas or questions.

Researchers, with extensive adult help, locate at least 2 reliable information sources for EACH of their ideas or questions.

Overarching Question Integrating  Natural Events

Information clearly  answers the overarching question; a strong logical argument presents a clear connection (or lack of thereof)  between natural events;  includes several supporting details and/or examples.

Information clearly answers the overarching question; a logical argument presents a clear connection (or lack of thereof) between natural events; provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples.

Information addresses the  overarching question; however no details and/or examples are given to support arguments.

Overarching question is not answered.

Application of Thinking Maps

Thinking Maps illustrate a clear thought process appropriately supporting the group's argument.    Illustrations add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

Thinking Maps appropriately support group's argument leading to the conclusion and add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

Thinking Maps somewhat support group's argument   and sometimes add to the reader's understanding of the topic.

Thinking Maps are not applied appropriately  or are not used.  .

Organization

Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs and subheadings.

Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs.

Information is organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed.

The information appears to be disorganized.

Mechanics

No grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

Almost no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors

A few grammatical spelling, or punctuation errors.

Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

Sources

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in the desired format.

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but a few are not in the desired format.

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented, but many are not in the desired format.

Some sources are not accurately documented