Task: Write an informational essay that answers the question while using domain specific vocabulary and appropriate transitional phrases.
Are the life cycles of rocks predictable?
  1. State your claim while engaging the reader.
  2. Support your claim with evidence from the Ride the Rock Cycle activity and the class share.
  3. Write a conclusion that addresses your claim and evidence.

Domain specific language
Erosion/weathering, deposition, cementation/ compaction, heating, pressure, cooling, tectonic plates, volcanic activity, magma…. / Sample transitional phrases
Initially, following that, on the other hand, this shows that, therefore, in conclusion, furthermore, for example, in other words…

Name ______Date ______Class ______

RUBRIC / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Domain specific language / Student includes all of the provided vocabulary words appropriately / Students include all of the necessary domain specific language to support their claim / Some of the vocabulary words are used correctly to support claim / Vocabulary words are used incorrectly
Transitional phrases / The use of transitional phrases adds to the overall understanding of the essay / Transitional phrases are used cohesively. / Transitional phrases are inconsistently used correctly. / Transitional phrases are not included.
Introduction / Introduction states a claim, previews evidence to come while engaging the reader / Introduction states a claim and previews evidence to come / Introduction states a claim / Introduction does not state a claim.
Evidence / The students make connection between their own evidence and the evidence presented by their classmates to fully support their claim. / The student uses evidence from their own data or their classmates data to support their claim / The students uses evidence that does not support their claim appropriately / The student does not include evidence to support their claim
Conclusion / The conclusion addressed the claim, provided evidence and made connections to scientific knowledge surrounding the subject / The conclusion made a connection between the claim and evidence. / The conclusion addressed the claim or the evidence but did not make a connection between the two. / The conclusion is missing or does not include reference to the claim or the evidence discussed in the essay.