< The Junkyard of Ideas Student Version
< The Junkyard of Ideas Teacher's Guide

Report Scorecard	Absent 0	Developing 1	Accomplished 2	Exemplary 3	Score
Understanding of Phenomena Explained	The report does not mention the phenomena explained by the team's assigned theory.	The report briefly mentions the phenomenon but gives few details.	The report mentions the phenomenon, giving some details.	The report describes the phenomenon, using great detail.
Understanding the Assigned Theory	The report does not describe the team's assigned theory.	The report describes the theory in limited detail.	The report describes the theory in more detail, but it does not mention what evidence was used to support the theory.	The report describes the theory in good detail and cites the evidence that supported it.
Understanding Evidence Against the Theory	The report does not describe the evidence against theory.	The report describes the contrary evidence in limited detail.	The report describes the contrary evidence in some detail.	The report describes the contrary evidence in good detail.
Understanding Modern Theories	The report does not mention newer explanations that have arisen to replace the team's assigned theory.	The report mentions the newer theories, but it gives little detail or evidence.	The report describes the newer theories, but does not cite evidence.	The report describes the newer theories in detail and cites the evidence that supports them.
Historical Understanding	The report does not cite who supported and didn't support the theory, when the theory was popular, or when it was disproven.	The report includes one or two of the four items listed.	The report includes three or four of the items listed.	The report includes all the items listed, and it mentions some of the successes of one or more of the theory's supporters.
Well organized	Report lacks topic sentences and has no logical sequence.	Report has only one topic sentence and its sequence is confusing	Report includes some topic sentences and is somewhat sequential	Every section begins with a clearly stated topic sentence, and the sections follow a logical sequence.
Clear and Understandable	Very difficult to follow.	Mostly difficult to follow and understand.	Mostly easy to understand.	Easy to read and follow the information.
Correct grammar and spelling	Very frequent grammar and/or spelling errors.	A few grammar and/or spelling errors.	Only one or two errors in spelling or grammar	All grammar and spelling are correct
				Total

This rubric was adapted from that created by Susanne Hirsch at Memorial Academy in the San Diego Unified School District's Triton Project, a Challenge Grant funded by the U. S. Department of Education.