Evaluation Criteria Rubric

Name: ________________________________________________

Criteria Level 1 – Level 2 - Level 3 - Level 4 -

Not Yet Somewhat Good Excellent
Knowledge/Understanding:  Does not  Explains the  Explains the  Explains the
 Aware of the explain the importance and importance and importance and
importance and importance context of one context of three context of the
context of the four and context of to two questions questions four questions
questions in their the four
report questions
 (10 Marks)
Thinking/Inquiry:  Does not  Somewhat  Develops a  Develops an
 Develop a strong develop an develops an good analysis excellent
analysis of the analysis which analysis which which analysis which
source encapsulates encapsulates the encapsulates the thoroughly
(4 questions) the findings findings findings encapsulates the
 Use of evidence,  No use of  Some usage  Use of 3-4 findings
e.g. examples, facts, evidence of 1-2 pieces of good and  Use of 5-7
quotes, etc. towards evidence effective pieces excellent and
 (10 Marks) answering towards of evidence effective pieces
questions answering towards of evidence
questions answering towards
questions answering
questions
Communication:  No usage of  Some usage  Good use of  Excellent use
 Language language of language language of language
conventions, conventions, conventions, conventions, conventions,
e.g. grammar, 10+ errors 6-10 errors 4-5 errors 1-3 mistakes
spelling, formal
speaking, etc.
 (10 Marks)

Application:  No  One minor  One good  Two

 Make two connections connection connection excellent
connections made between made between made between connections
with/between previous previous previous made between
various contexts, contexts and contexts and contexts and previous
e.g. relate to prior events events events contexts and
knowledge events
 (10 Marks)
 Pollution Article Report

Name: ________________________________________________________

Activity in-class on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023.

Due: Start of class Tuesday (May 24th).

Task: Students will conduct a report/summary on the following source:

Bibliography:

“The Hidden Costs of Fossil Fuels.” Union of Concerned Scientists, August 30, 2016,
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/hidden-costs-fossil-fuels#.VS_YMNLBwXA

Every report/summary should answer the following questions:

WHAT does this article talk about? (What is being discussed?)

HOW does the article accomplish this? (Do the article use text, photos, videos, graphs?)
WHICH concepts relate to it? (What does this material relate to in Geography? Hint: types of pollution)
WHY is this important? (Why should we learn about this subject?)

Checklist for Student Success

At the start of class Wednesday, students will present their findings. This is an individual report.

Written Response Checklist:

 Answers all 4 questions

 Clear point of view / argument

 Well written with use of paragraphs

 Reaches a minimum of 1.5 pages

 Double spaced written format

 Incorporates 4-5 proofs from the article/class

 Cites source in APA format

 The following is an example of how a report/summary can be conducted:

A Review of John Browne’s Beyond Kyoto.

One of the more pertinent issues of today’s world is the case of global warming. While
there are still some who even deny its existence, the international system has been trying to
grapple with this problem for quite some time. In 1997, the infamous Kyoto Conference in Japan
took place in order that countries could meet and discuss this growing issue. While this was the
case, Browne starts his paper off by arguing that countries and businesses have not either tried or
met the conditions laid out in Kyoto (Browne, 2004, 20). Although this is rather upsetting, he
does offer a silver-lining to counter his earlier assessment. Browne is critical in noting that there
is still hope for humanity – and this is what his article primarily deals with (ibid). He cites five
main reasons why this issue has not been swept under-the-rug entirely. For instance, he claims
meetings like Kyoto are but a mere tipping point in a much larger endeavour, and that more
people are aware of this issue and its effects now (Browne, ibid & 21). Browne’s article is trying
to continue the essence of Kyoto.

He furthers his message of environmental hope in two ways. Initially, he has five
headings which each deal with a certain topic. For instance, he begins by establishing “knowns
and unknowns” whereby he provides readers information about what we do and don’t know
about carbon dioxide (Browne, 21). These topics vary as they start with what we know and
extend to domains like “down to business” where Browne asserts businesses must change their
tactics with the aid of governments (Browne, 28). Now while there are three other areas covered,
the two figures he provides deserve some consideration. Although only two are provided, they
are fairly important to Browne’s overall argument. For example, Figure 1 shows the “anticipated
projection for emissions from industrialized and developing countries” (Browne, 24). This is
important because it illustrates how much emissions are being produced, and that without change
it will only keep on growing. With the aid of the above mentioned headings and figures, Browne
tries to demonstrate that there is still hope within humanity to counteract global warming.

Upon finishing this article, and if read properly, I do believe that Browne’s argument is
one the general public can, and should agree with. In a capitalistic world where the only
motivation is money and profit, Browne places optimism above realism. He chooses to believe in
the betterment of the world’s environment, providing readers relevant information and statistics
about how this could be achieved within the foreseeable future. His argument of hope is very
attainable, if only we “take measured steps” (Browne, 24). His sources are hard to refute as he
often cites from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which is well
versed in this issue (Browne, 21). Browne’s article is a necessary read for all because if our only
interest is profit, than what is the point of having expendable income if your favorite resort is
unavailable due to heat warnings? Browne’s optimism is not crazy enough to be tossed aside, but
should be considered if we are to continue living on Earth.