Sample Rubric
Rivers to the Sea and Back Again
Investigation 1
Science Notebook Sample Rubric: Watershed and Water Sources
What Makes for a Good Science Notebook?
Adapted from http://www.sciencenotebooks.org
| Strong | Okay | Needs More Thinking | |
| Water Flow and Water We Drink | In my science notebook, I have good thinking about where and why the colors flowed where they ended up. I have detailed information on where my drinking water comes from. I use and clearly understand the term “watershed.” | In my science notebook, I show where the colors flowed and where they ended up. I have information on where my drinking water comes from. I use the term “watershed.” | In my science notebook, I have some missing pieces. Entries have been started or notes have been taken, but it’s hard to follow my own thinking and hard for someone else to understand. |
| Asking Questions | To get ready for a visit with an expert, I have written questions that will help me understand things I don’t yet know about my drinking water or our watershed. The questions come from the work in my science notebook. | To get ready for a visit with an expert, I have written questions that will help me understand things I don’t yet know about my drinking water or our watershed. | I may have written a question or two but they don’t seem to come from my own written thinking. |
| About my Thinking (Reflection) | In my science notebook, I have lots of thinking about what I have drawn and recorded. This section of my notebook shows how I have added to, changed, or revisited my thinking. I do this through using different colored pens or pencils, writing in the margins, and/or adding clearly labeled sections. | In my science notebook, I have done the required drawing and responses, but it can be hard to find new thinking, or questioning. | The science notebook shows only recording and not much or no thinking. |
| Scientific Drawing | Required drawings are MOSTLY large, accurately labeled, and have specific detail. | Required drawings are there but may have incorrect labels, or may not be carefully drawn or drawn with good detail. | Drawings are missing or seem so rushed that they are hard to understand. |
| Notebook Organization | Sections are labeled and dated. They are entered in the table of contents. My handwriting is USUALLY the best I can do. I have my notebook ready every time I need it. | Sections are mostly labeled and dated. They are entered in the table of contents. My handwriting is USUALLY the best I can do. I have my notebook ready nearly every time I need it. | Labels and dates of entries are hard to find and/or not entered in Table of Contents. My handwriting is often hard to read. I have my notebook ready only some of the times I need it. |
