Earth Science Project Rubric

Maya Chappell

Internship/Career Applied Learning Project Conclusion

There are many reasons a person might become a teacher but, in the end, they must
have the mindset of a mentor. A teacher’s job is not simply just to relay information to
children. They serve as a guide for children as they grow and learn to live life
independently. A teacher’s job is to positively influence the future generations of the world
and encourage sucess. Teachers teach children different knowledge and skills they will
need to make it in life. Providing opportunities for children to fail and succeed without the
same repercussions they would face when they grow up and are in the real world.
In the United States, children most often spend ages five through eighteen in
school. That is 10 months or roughly 180 days a year, for 13 years. Over time that
adds up, to 2,340 out of 6,570 days spent in a classroom. At the end of high school, they
would have spent 35.62% of their lives attending school. A lot of students will continue to
attend a higher level of school after high school to further their education.
Teachers are meant to be an influence as they are the building blocks in a student’s
success. They help with not only general knowledge but emotional, social, and logical
knowledge. Without teachers, there would be no one to pass on important knowledge that
cannot be found already written in books. They play a vital role in shaping the future of
individuals and society would greatly suffer in their absence.
The job of a teacher comes with many responsibilities. They focus on relaying
specific academic knowledge to students in a format that can be understood at
their specific age. They create lessons, activities, and work that are used to help students
understand the topic. Teachers also guide students by helping them create essential life
skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical thinking. They are a major support
system for student success.
At a minimum, a teacher needs a bachelor’s degree from a university (Holder).
Depending on which grade level they teach they might need a degree in a specific subject.
After obtaining their degree they may participate in student teaching opportunities before
they become independent teachers. Each state and school may have its requirements for
teachers, some of which would include a teaching license or certification.
Teachers are found in any type of school. Teachers can be found at
elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Typically, they work with students
from kindergarten through twelfth grade ranging from ages 5 to 18 and are typically small
in numbers. When getting a higher education, the teacher becomes a professor.
Professors deal with a mix of ages in their classes, have more students, and are less
hands-on with their students. Teachers can also teach virtually to students who do not
or cannot attend an in-person class or school.
The average salary for a kindergarten through twelfth grade teacher in Georgia is
$56,035 (Salary.com). A schoolteacher’s salary has many factors. Things as specific as
location, the grade level taught, how many classes are being taught, and whether the
school is public or private. If the demand for teachers is high the salary might
The overall goal of my project was to make useful materials for my mentor’s classes
to use in the future. The best way to do this was to make a product that she could use to
help teach her students. After some discussion with my mentor, she expressed
how for one topic the students' only assignment is a reading packet with coloring pages at
the end to help express their understanding. During my time at my internship, I got to see
them work through this topic, many of the students didn’t understand the topic after
having time to work through the assignment. My project is a project for the students to do
in place of the reading packet so they can engage with a more interactive and hands-on
learning assignment but also comprehend the necessary information.
This project is important for several reasons. Firstly, it offers students a hands-on
learning experience, which is often more effective than passive methods like reading or
listening. By physically constructing the layers of the Earth, students gain a deeper
understanding of their characteristics and relationships. Additionally, creating a 3D model
provides a visual representation that enhances comprehension. Seeing the layers
represented in a tangible form helps students visualize the ideas and grasp information
more easily. Furthermore, designing and constructing the model encourages students to
express their creativity and problem-solving skills. They must decide how to accurately
represent each layer using the materials available, fostering critical thinking and
innovation. Additionally, students develop research skills as they conduct research to
learn about the composition, thickness, and characteristics of Earth's layers before
constructing the model. Overall, this project provides a dynamic and interactive way for
students to explore and understand fundamental concepts about the Earth, laying a solid
foundation for further scientific inquiry and discovery.
Creating lessons, worksheets, projects, tests, quizzes, and other learning materials
is a common practice for a teacher. Tasks like these can become very tedious and time-
consuming for teachers. During my time at my internship, there were days I was
tasked with creating material for her students to use to study and I was able to see first-
hand how tedious these tasks were. My rubric is one example of the type of material I
would have to create as a teacher.
Product
Layers of the Earth Model
Students must demonstrate an understanding of the Earth’s Layers through the crea6on
of a 3D model. The model should accurately represent each layer of the Earth and be
accompanied by a wri?en descrip6on for each layer. These descrip6ons must be wri?en using
research done and should include essen6al details such as the composi6on, thickness, and state
of ma?er of each layer.
Needs
Excellent (4) Good (3) Improvements (2) Not Evident (1)
Earths Layers All layers of the Most layers of Some layers of earth Inaccurate
Earth are the Earth are are represented, but representa6on
accurately accurately with significant of most layers
represented with represented, but inaccuracies or of the Earth.
correct one or two missing features
Over the course of this semester from both in class research and my time at the
internship working with my mentor and her students I have learned a lot about the hard
work and the dedication it takes to be a teacher. I saw firsthand the many responsibilities
of being a teacher. It was incredible to be able to see the behind the scenes that, as a
student, you would never see.
I learned about the teamwork involved in teach from watching Mrs. Holder work
together with her fellow teachers to problem solve over the course of my internship. As
much as she works independently, she is also a part of a team. Just like any machine all
the parts must work together to get things moving. There are days when life happens, and
teacher must work fast to keep things flowing otherwise things will pile up and become
more complicated for the students. Mrs. Holder has taught me a teacher's top priority in
the classroom is their students’ success and well being.
While working with students, I was able to understand a new point of view that had
not really occurred to me before. I was also able to understand in more depth how the way
the kids react to a lesson can mean a few things. One, if the student’s seemed confused
after the description of the lesson, it could be that the lesson was not conveyed in a way
that was easy to understand. Therefore, one might strive to explain the lesson plan in a
different way or take things slower to ensure that all the students understand the lesson.
Two, if a student doesn’t understand the lesson, it could also be that they are personally
lost and could use a bit of extra explanation to help them understand the lesson in more
depth. It is part of a teacher's job to be able to recognize when this occurs and guide the
student in a direction they can understand.
Similarly, I have also learned that a teacher needs to be kind and approachable. The
students need to feel comfortable enough to come to you for help or when they
have questions. One way to earn that is through kindness and respect. Treating the
students with kindness and respect helps them know you and trust you. Students being
hesitant to approach you is only harmful to their success and the overall teacher-student
relationship.
Reading and identifying these two reactions as well as performing this specific form
of student-teacher relations, are only a few of the many skills that I have learned thus far at
my internship. I have also learned so many other human mannerisms just by studying Mrs.
Holder’s class. This has helped me strengthen my understanding of social sciences and
this understanding can help me tremendously in my future internships and careers. These
Required on Model: social skills will also help me in future careers that involve a group system.
• Crust (Oceanic and Con0nental)
• Inner core
• Outer core
In conclusion, this internship has helped me grow in more ways than one. It has
• Upper mantel/ Lithosphere
• Middle mantle/ Asthenosphere
taught me so many new skills as well as help me strengthen the ones I had already
• Lower mantle
possessed. This was truly and amazing opportunity that I am so lucky to have
Required Labels and Descrip5ons:
• Crust (Oceanic and Con0nental) experienced.
• Inner core
• Outer core

References
propor6ons and layers have • Upper mantle
increase. Also, if the person applying for the job has a higher education, they are worth features are 3D. minor
inaccuracies
• Middle mantle
• Lower mantle
more and may have a higher salary. Labels Clear and
accurate labeling
Labels for each
layer are mostly
Labels are present,
but some are
Labels are
missing or
• Lithosphere
• Asthenosphere
• Convec0on Currents
There will always be jobs for teachers for as long as people go to school, they have of each layer with
appropriate 6tles
clear and
accurate but
unclear or
inaccurate, making it
incorrect
hindering the

a job. The growth and unemployment rates predominantly vary on the number of students and descrip6ons
that clearly
there may be
some minor
difficult to iden6fy
layers.
understanding
of the model.
Please answer the following ques5ons:
1. What happens to the temperature as we traveled closer to the center of the Earth?
Holder (n.d.). Internship Interview. Interview by Chappell. [MP3]. Salary.com. (n.d.). Public
iden6fy them. errors.
available to attend school in a location. Employment of all elementary, middle, and high Descrip6ons Detailed Descrip6ons Descrip6ons are Descrip6ons
descrip6ons provide basic and lack are missing or 2. What happens to the pressure as we travel down? school teacher salary in Georgia. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from
school teachers is projected to show very little to no change as of 2022-2032, this is due to accompanying adequate sufficient detail or insufficient,
each layer informa6on accuracy. providing li?le
the quick turnover rate (U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics). explaining its about each layer to no
3. What rocks make up most of the Earth’s crust?
a. Oceanic- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/public-school-teacher-salary/ga
composi6on, but may lack informa6on
b. Con0nental-
The skills a teacher requires to be successful include leadership, organization, and characteris6cs,
and significance.
detail or clarity. about the
layers.
4. Why do you think the ocean crust contains rocks that are denser than the rocks found on
patience. Teachers oversee many bodies at once which can become overwhelming at Crea6veness/ Crea6ve Some crea6ve Limited crea6vity Lacks land? Indeed. (2023, March 30). Types of Teaching Degrees. Indeed.com.
Neatness approach evident elements apparent in the crea6vity.
in the design, incorporated design. Model:
times. They must be able to guide the students but also keep calm and stay in order. If construc6on, and into the model Models: -has no color 5. What makes up the lithosphere?
presenta6on of design. -Lacks color -unreadable https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/types-of-teaching-degrees
they are not able to the classroom will not be able to properly function. They also must be the layers. Model: -Looks rushed
Model is: -has color -unorganized 6. The plates of the lithosphere move slowly because they float on top of the
forgiving and compassionate. It is part of growing up to make mistakes and it’s a teacher’s -colorful -is readable asthenosphere. Describe how the molten material in the mantle causes this movement U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Occupational Outlook Handbook.
-neat -somewhat of the lithospheric plates.
job to correct them and help them avoid their mistakes in the future. -organized organized
-unique
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm