ASSESSMENT

CATEGORY	Outstanding	Excellent	Sufficient	Insufficient
Contributions 10%	Routinely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A definite leader who contributes a lot of effort.	Usually provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A strong group member who tries hard!	Sometimes provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. A satisfactory group member who does what is required.	Rarely provides useful ideas when participating in the group and in classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.
Time-management 10%	Routinely uses time well throughout the project to ensure things get done on time. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's procrastination.	Usually uses time well throughout the project, but may have procrastinated on one thing. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's procrastination.	Tends to procrastinate, but always gets things done by the deadlines. Group does not have to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's procrastination.	Rarely gets things done by the deadlines AND group has to adjust deadlines or work responsibilities because of this person's inadequate time management.
Problem-solving 10%	Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.	Refines solutions suggested by others.	Does not suggest or refine solutions, but is willing to try out solutions suggested by others.	Does not try to solve problems or help others solve problems. Lets others do the work.
Attitude 10%	Never is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Always has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Rarely is publicly critical of the project or the work of others. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Occasionally is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Usually has a positive attitude about the task(s).	Often is publicly critical of the project or the work of other members of the group. Often has a positive attitude about the task(s).
Group Timeline 10%	Group independently develops a reasonable, complete timeline describing when different parts of the work i.e., planning, research, first draft, final draft, etc.) will be done. All students in the 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 the 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 in the group 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.
Plan for Organizing Information 10%	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 the plan.	Students have developed a clear plan for organizing the information as it is gathered. All students can independently explain the plan.	Students have no clear plan for organizing the information and/or students in the group cannot explain their organ-izational plan.
Ideas/Research Questions 10%	Researchers independently identify at least four reasonable, insightful, creative ideas or questions to pursue when doing the research	Researchers independently identify at least four reasonable, ideas or questions to pursue when doing the research	Researchers identify, with some adult help, at least four reasonable, ideas or questions to pursue when doing the research	Researchers identify, with considerable adult help, at least four reasonable, ideas or questions to pursue when doing the research
Accuracy 10%	Accurate information is taken from greater than four sources in a scientific manner.	Accurate information is taken from four sources in a scientific manner	Accurate information is taken from two sources in a scientific manner	Information is inaccurate or is taken from less than two sources in a scientific manner
Conclusion 20%	Group conclusion is completely and is accurately substantiated by the research.	Group conclusion is accurate and substantiated by the research.	Group conclusion is somewhat substantiated by the research.	Group conclusion is not substantiated by the research.