Differentiated

assessments
Using student interest for product differentiation

Tracy Salzer
April 2017
 World Art Project: Ancient Civilizations
OBJECTIVE: demonstrate your understanding of the art and art traditions of an ancient civilization of
your choice and use effective research skills, by creating an informational mini-poster, booklet, video, or
presentation, that explains and analyzes the cultural and artistic traditions of the civilization.
Your project must include:
The influence of Geography: where did this culture exist? How did the geography of the area influence
their style of art, their innovations and inventions, etc.?
The influence of Religion and Government: how did religion or political power influence this cultures
artistic forms, and expressions? What role did art play in the practice of religion? Was religion or
government a direct influence of the art forms of the people? Did religion or government forbid any
type(s) of art in particular?
The influence of cultural artistic traditions on modern-day life: how do these artistic forms continue to
influence our world or our lives today? What inventions or innovations are still being used or developed
today?
The 8 areas listed in your graphic-organizer/research and information sheet. (if some categories do not
strongly pertain to (pertain to=have to do with) your choice, you can elaborate on other sections
instead.) These should each have a visual, or image to accompany your information.
 Volcano Project: Earth Science
Choose your AdventureVolcano Project Outline and Rubric:
Objective: illustrate your understanding of the geology concepts we have studied: plate tectonics, the rock cycle and rock types, and the
formation and existence of volcanoes, by creating an informational and visually explanatory product about one of the worlds major
volcanoes.
You will choose a format for how you will present your project: Powerpoint, Visual (Poster, pamphlet, video, or infomercial), Written
Report with Visuals, or otherwise. If you have a unique idea, please discuss it with me in advance, before beginning work on your
research.
Your project must include the following content:
Your full name, a project title (you are encouraged to be creative here!), and due date (March 31, 2017)
Information about each of the subtopics in your web organizer:
The name and geographic location of the volcano
plate tectonics that formed the volcano
rock types associated with the volcano
myths/legends and cultural connections
the type of volcano you chose (cinder cone, shield, or stratovolcano)
eruption history and place in life cycle: active, dormant, extinct?
Interesting and relevant facts, fun facts
Visuals and images that support your writing. Hand-drawn or printed images.
Alphabetized list of sources, including sources for your images.
 Sample Project Rubric
Content: (35 points)
__/10 Sufficient information given to understand the topic, clear writing that maintains a formal style, and correct use of writing mechanics and grammar.
__/10 Evidence of effective research and use of valid, reliable sources.
__/5 A bibliography of sources (including image sources) is included.
__/10 Addresses all required elements and topics.
Visuals and Presentation (15 points)
__/10 Visuals and images are relevant and support the written information.
__/ 5 Project is neatly handwritten or typed, and includes your full name, the project title, and the due date. Evidence of effort and pride in work.
Well Developed: Work demonstrates a high level of research and writing skills. Multiple credible sources are used. Analysis of artistic influences and forms is
cohesive and makes many connections to religion, government, and modern-day society. Images and visuals are detailed, and strongly support the writing and
research. Final project shows attention to detail, evidence of the writing process, and pride in the quality of the work. Project is free of grammatical or
mechanical errors that impede comprehension.
Developing: Work demonstrates grade-level research and writing skills. Credible sources are used. Analysis of artistic influences is clear and demonstrates an
understanding of connections between art and religion, government, and modern day life. Images and visuals reflect the information presented in writing.
Final project shows attention to detail, evidence of the writing process, and pride in the quality of the work. Project has minimal or minor errors in grammar
or mechanics.
Beginning to Develop: Work demonstrates research and writing skills that are developing with support. Sources are cited, but may not be highly credible or
verified. Some connections are made about the influence of religion or government on artistic developments. Connections are weak or minimally explained.
Images and visuals connect to the topic. Final project shows some attention to detail, but may lack evidence of the writing process. Minimal effort or
frequent errors in grammar or mechanics that impede comprehension.
Not Apparent: If you do not complete the project, your skills will not be apparent!
Not Graded: Not applicable. You are all being graded on this assignment :)
Illustrated Book Report: English
Language Arts
Objective: to demonstrate your comprehension of the novel, using both writing and art to show how the main
character develops during the story, the impact/effect of the setting, how the plot is developed through a series of
events, and how the events of the story reach a resolution at the end of the book.
Written Component: Using your chapter summaries, you will write an overview of the entire story. (Think of it
as a whole-book summary.) Your writing should follow these guidelines:
Paragraph Number:
Introduction: Needs to include the title of the book and the name of the author. Briefly discuss the big ideas and
themes of the book.
Setting: where and when does the story take place? How has the main character adapted to the setting? What do you
know, or what has the character learned about the setting? How does the setting impact the character and the
events of the plot?
Character: this paragraph should give a thorough description of Brian: what is he like, what are his attitudes, what
are his thoughts, skills, etc. While this paragraph should focus on the main character, you can mention other
characters that play a part in important events of the plot.
Plot: what are the main events of the plot, and how do these events help to move the story forward? This paragraph
should discuss what the main character is attempting to do, and how the events of the plot affect his attempts: to
discover, to overcome, to understand, to solve, to learn, to adapt, etc.
Plot Resolution: How are the problems of the plot resolved in the story? What is the sequence of events that leads to
Brians rescue? What are the final attitudes of the main character?
Conclusion: Your evaluation of the book as a literary work, and your own review of the novel. What makes the book
interesting to readers in general? What did you personally enjoy about the story?
Illustrated Book Report Continued
Visual Component: for each section of your writing, you will create an
original illustration.
Directions:
After you have outlined your written component, select four scenes, quotes, or
ideas of your own, to illustrate the following (Full page illustrations):
Setting
Main Character
Plot
Plot Resolution
You will need to include a quote, caption, or description for each of your
illustrations. This should appear in smaller print, on or near the actual drawing.
Your final task will be to create a cover page for your report. You can use
themes from the book, or any ideas of your own. Everything should be original
work. (No computer graphics, please.)
Report Rubric
Content: 20 points
Includes all components:
Cover page including your full name, title of your report, and the final due date. (2 points)
Outline (2 points)
Rough Draft including an introduction and conclusion, with evidence of revision and editing throughout. (5 points)
Final Draft (6 points)
Meaningful information and original writing (1 point)
On time for due dates, and participation in writing workshops. (4 points)
Conventions: 10 points
Correct grammar, easily read and understood. (2 points)
Spelling is accurate. (2 points)
Penmanship is neat and legible, or paper is accurately typed with correct spacing. (2 points)
Paragraphs are indented. (2 points)
Punctuation is used correctly. (2 points)
Visuals and Creativity: 20 points
Cover page is interesting and engaging. (2 points)
Illustrations included support the writing. (2 points)
Art pieces are full sized, detailed, colorful, and show evidence of effort. (You do not need to be an artist you just
need to put forth your best effort.) (16 points total. 4 illustrations x 4 points each.)