Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. Several negative effects on the environment from deforestation are listed (less oxygen, animals have no shelter, the ground washes away) The supporting details are minimally effective.

Score Level 1 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. The student mentions the relationship between atmospheric gases and green plants (trees take in carbon dioxide and create oxygen for the people and animals to breathe) but provides no elaboration. The supporting details are only minimally effective.

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. Adequate supporting details identify some of the negative effects of deforestation on the environment (plant eaters will have less food; plant eaters animals will have to find a new place to live; there will be less oxygen.)

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student uses adequate supporting details to identify effects of rain forest destruction on the environment (less oxygen produced; animals…will become extinct before they are discovered).

Score Level 2 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. The student adequately describes a few effects of deforestation on the environment (loses oxygen that trees provide; lose plants and leaves that many people all over the world use to make medicine or food). However, the discussion of "losing resources" in the local environment is brief. While this response contains some supporting details, more supporting details are needed for a higher score.

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. The student shows some synthesis of information, by describing some "cause and effect" in relationships between deforestation and the negative impact it has on the environment (as the rain forests are being leveled, there will be less lumber sources. There will be less trees to make oxygen for us to breathe). The supporting details are generally complete (ecosystem is being destroyed; entire species are becoming more and more rare; the food chain will be messed up; consumers that eat them will have to rely on another source of food).

Score Level 3 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. The student uses generally complete supporting details and some synthesis when describing the effects of deforestation on global and local environments (animals…will become homeless; there could be an herbal supplement out there that can cure a deadly disease; source of many tropical foods, such as certain fruits; they sell and export much of it, missing it would be an unnecessary strain on the economy). Additional use of scientific terminology and/or more supporting details are needed for a higher score.

Score Level 4 Anchor Paper

This response contains evidence of a full and complete understanding of the question. The supporting details are pertinent and complete as the student accurately describes how the destruction of the rainforest negatively effects the environment (if the lumber is being burned…this would cause pollution; Many medicines are made from products in the rainforest, as well as other products such as chocolate and bananas), The student integrates ideas into broader concepts (tropical rainforests house many species of aquatic and terrestrial organisms that cannot be found anywhere else in the world; take away their habitat and thus chance of survival; putting them on the endangered species list). Scientific terminology (aquatic, terrestrial, photosynthesis, pollution, and deforestation) enhances the response.