Student Name: Date:

Rubric: Its a Balancing Act Branches of Government

Advanced Proficient Basic Below Basic
Research:
Knowledge and
Understanding:
*Using Frayer graphic
organizers, describe
how authoritative
decisions are made,
enforced, and/or
interpreted within the
federal government.
In addition to the
proficient performance,
in-depth inferences and
applications that go
beyond what was
taught. Higher-level
thinking is
demonstrated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the information and/or
processes (simple or
complex) that was
explicitly stated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the simpler details and
processes but major
errors or omissions
regarding the more
complex ideas and
processes.
With help, a partial
understanding of some of
the simpler details and
processes and some of the
more complex ideas and
processes.
Research:
Knowledge and
Understanding:
*Compare and contrast
the functions of the
three branches of
government in federal
level of governement in
aThree Venn Diagram.
In addition to the
proficient performance,
in-depth inferences and
applications that go
beyond what was
taught. Higher-level
thinking is
demonstrated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the information and/or
processes (simple or
complex) that was
explicitly stated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the simpler details and
processes but major
errors or omissions
regarding the more
complex ideas and
processes.
With help, a partial
understanding of some of
the simpler details and
processes and some of the
more complex ideas and
processes.
Simulate the
Branches Working
Together to Make a
Law (or not!)
In addition to the
proficient performance,
in-depth inferences and
applications that go
beyond what was
taught. Higher-level
thinking is
demonstrated.
No major errors or
omissions when
simulating the process
of a bill becoming a
law.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the simpler details and
processes of a bill
becoming a law but
major errors or
omissions regarding
the more complex
ideas and processes.
With help, a partial
understanding of some of
the simpler details and
processes of a bill becoming
a law and some of the more
complex ideas and
processes.


Create a Product:
Write an opinion piece
on a bill students want
to become a law,
supporting a point of
view with reasons and
information.
In addition to the
proficient performance,
in-depth inferences and
applications that go
beyond what was
taught. Higher-level
thinking is
demonstrated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the information and/or
processes (simple or
complex) that was
explicitly stated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the simpler details and
processes but major
errors or omissions
regarding the more
complex ideas and
processes.
With help, a partial
understanding of some of
the simpler details and
processes and some of the
more complex ideas and
processes.
Presentation
of Product:
*Add audio recordings
and visual displays to
presentations when
appropriate to enhance
the development of
main ideas or themes.
In addition to the
proficient performance,
in-depth inferences and
applications that go
beyond what was
taught. Higher-level
thinking is
demonstrated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the information and/or
processes (simple or
complex) that was
explicitly stated.
No major errors or
omissions regarding
the simpler details and
processes but major
errors or omissions
regarding the more
complex ideas and
processes.
With help, a partial
understanding of some of
the simpler details and
processes and some of the
more complex ideas and
processes.