Chapter 2 Electricity essay questions – Revised

I revised several parts of the following essay questions, First, I included a time limit next to each question. Additionally, I created the essay scoring rubric to be included on each student’s test. I added what I will be specifically looking for in the directions of each essay. Also, I modified question 1 so that students must design an experiment, which is one of my goals for this unit.

Directions: Complete each essay question below. Write in complete sentences and check for spelling and grammar.

I’ll be looking for your understanding of each question, how clearly you support your answer, and whether or not you use capitals, periods, and sentences that make sense. Use the scoring sheet to help you.

  1. Describe how you would design an experiment to demonstrate how electrons are moving in static electrical charges. Use an example to illustrate your experiment. Your goal is to design an experiment properly which will show your understanding of how electrons move in static electricity, and to use an example to support it. (This question should take no more than 10 minutes to complete)

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  2. (Portfolio option) Describe how you would design an experiment that will determine if an object is an insulator or a conductor. Illustrate your experiment with a drawing. You must complete this question but you may choose later whether or not to add it to your portfolio. I’ll be looking for whether or not you designed a proper experiment for classifying conductors and insulators, and how well your drawing illustrates your experiment. (This question should take no more than 10 minutes to complete)

 

Essay scoring rubric

Conventions

    • Capitals 3 2 1
    • Periods 3 2 1
    • Coherent sentences 3 2 1

Content

    • Correct word choice 3 2 1
    • Follow scientific method 3 2 1
    • Answered question 3 2 1

Conventions scoring:

3 All capitals, periods, or coherent sentences

2 Some capitals, periods missing, or one sentence is incoherent.

1 Not enough writing, or writing is missing capitals, periods, or coherent sentences

Content scoring:

  1. Student used correct words, scientific steps, or answered question correctly.
  1. Student use some correct words, or may have skipped a step in the scientific method, question is answered correctly but not supported

1 Student used words improperly, failed to use the scientific method, or answered question incorrectly. May not have written enough to determine what the answer is.