Rubric: MS-LS2-5.

Create and/or evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem
services.
Standard LS2-5 4 3 2 1
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Science &
Engineering
Practices:
Developing and
Using Models

Students independently
design the action plan to
include management and
recovery strategies beyond
grade-level expectations.

Analyzes and critiques other
plans to determine validity
and inform reflection.

Adding additional details (i.e.
charges, cross sections) in the
next grade band descriptors.

Evidence of research with
four resources noted in a
bibliography with at least one
resource not an Internet
website.
Students independently
design the action plan to
include management and
recovery strategies.

Analyze other plans to
determine validity and
inform their own reflection.

Evidence of research with a
minimum three resources
noted in a bibliography.
Students create an action
plan with support. Lacks
an in depth reflection
and/or does not connect to
content. May not
thoroughly address
management or recovery
strategies.

Limited evidence of
research noted in a
bibliography.
Students did not design an
action plan with or
without, support. Limited
or missing reflection.

No evidence of research
or missing a bibliography.
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Communication
in the Discipline
Articulate and
defend claims
using
observations and
experiences as
support.

Development, organization
and style are appropriate to
the task, purpose and
audience.

Precise writing presents a
focused, logical explanation
supported with sufficient and
relevant information.

Shows insightful connections
to other concepts or real-
world problems.
Development, organization
and style are appropriate to
the task, purpose and
audience.

Presents a focused
explanation supported with
sufficient and relevant
information, though model
references could be more
thorough.
Writing is coherent, but
organization and/or may
not be appropriate to the
task, purpose or audience.

Explanation is logical and
focused, but needs more
supporting evidence.
Writing lacks clarity
and/or is inappropriate for
the task, purpose or
audience.

Claims are not supported
by evidence.

Communicates some
procedures, but lacks
important details.
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DCI:
L LS 2-C
Biodiversity
describes the variety
of species found in
Earths terrestrial
and oceanic
ecosystems. The
completeness or
integrity of an
ecosystems
biodiversity is often
used as a measure of
its health. Predatory
interactions may
reduce the number
of organisms or
eliminate whole
populations of
organisms.

EETS1.B There are
systematic
processes for
evaluating
solutions with
respect to how
well they meet the
criteria
and constraints of
a problem.
The action plan thoroughly
and accurately addresses the
management of the invasive
species and details the plan
to help the native species
recover. Focuses on reasons
for maintaining an
ecosystems biodiversity.
Content understanding
extends beyond grade-level
standards.

Uses a wide range of
vocabulary fluently,
accurately, and
appropriately.

The depth of content
knowledge is consistent with
the next grade band
standards.
The action plan addresses the
management of the invasive
species and details the plan
to help the native species
recover. Focuses on reasons
for maintaining an
ecosystems biodiversity.

Uses vocabulary fluently,
accurately, and
appropriately.
The action plan may not
include either the
management of the
invasive species or details
the plan to help the native
species recover. Reasons
for maintaining an
ecosystems biodiversity
are not clear.

Uses some of the content
vocabulary correctly, but
limited application.

The action plan is
incomplete. Reasons for
maintaining an
ecosystems biodiversity
are not included.

Misuses the content
vocabulary.
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Cross-Cutting
Concepts:
Patterns,
Stability &
Change

Analyzes the patterns, cause
and effect relationships, and
the need for stability/change
in greater detail. Includes
four or more sources to
support the analysis.
Analyzes the patterns, cause
and effect relationships, and
the need for stability/change
in detail. Includes three or
more sources to support the
analysis.
Analyzes some of the
patterns, cause and effect
relationships, and the need
for stability/change in
detail. Includes minimal
support or analysis.
Missing or limited
explanation or no
connection to the
concepts.