The following 8 Anchor Papers represent a range of score points and are used in conjunction with the rubric to assess student responses.

Score for Anchor Paper #1: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response demonstrates some understanding of how harmful waste products are removed from the body. Although the student fails to name any parts of a cell involved in the removal of metabolic waste, two body systems (circulatory and excretory) are identified. A general description of how harmful waste products are removed (perspiration, and breathing) is also provided. Overall, the supporting details are minimally effective.

Score for Anchor Paper #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response demonstrates some understanding of the problem. The student identifies one cell structure involved in the removal of harmful metabolic waste (cell membrane), but the description of how waste is removed from the cell (caught in the chloroplast and send out of the cell) is incorrect. Although several body systems are listed, only one (excritory system) is involved in the removal of waste products. The description of body systems working together to remove waste (sending signals to your entire body; works together, often using helpful bacteria) is vague, and overall, supporting details are minimally effective.

Score for Anchor Paper #3: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the problem. A cell structure involved in the removal of metabolic waste (cell membrane) is identified. In describing how harmful wastes are removed, the student refers to organs in the excretory system (wastes are stored in the bladder, which is emptied through urinating), but the implied relationship between the liver and the bladder is unclear (wastes are excreeted from the blood by the liver … stored in the bladder). In addition to describing the excretory system, the student identifies another relevant system (circulatory) and provides a general explanation of how body systems work together to remove waste (carries the blood that gets excreeted; ties all the body systems together so all the body systems work together to remove waste). Overall, the supporting details are adequate.

Score for Anchor Paper #4: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response demonstrates a basic understanding of the problem. Cell structures involved in the removal of waste products are identified and described with adequate detail (vacuole to store and remove waste; using the cell membrane to allow waste to leave the cell). The student also describes the role of two organs in removing waste (liver; uses enzymes; filters the blood and removes any waste; kidneys … remove waste from the bloodstream), but fails to explain how the body systems work together. The remainder of the response is a description of the digestive system, which is irrelevant to the removal of metabolic waste created during cell processes. Overall, the supporting details are adequate.

Score for Anchor Paper #5: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates a good understanding of the problem. The student identifies one cell structure (cell membrane) and two body systems (excretory; circlatory) involved in the removal of harmful metabolic waste. The response reflects some synthesis in explaining how a component of the circulatory system works together with specific organs of the excretory system to remove waste from the body (Wastes from cells are collected in the blood and taken to the kidneys; kidneys collect the wastes and send them to the bladder, where they are then taken for excretion through the urethra). The supporting details are generally complete.

Score for Anchor Paper #6: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response demonstrates a good understanding of the problem. The student names two parts of the cell that are involved in the removal of metabolic waste (vacuoles; cell membrane) and identifies several body systems (circulatory; respiratory; excretory). Synthesis is present in an explanation of how the body systems work together with respect to a specific waste product (respiratory system is needed to provide oxygen and is where CO₂ is expelled; circulatory system carries … CO₂) as well as specific organs (Without filters like the liver and kidneys the body would die, the filters help … by filtering their products). Overall, the supporting details are generally complete.

Score for Anchor Paper #7: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the problem. All pertinent details about waste removal by cells and body systems are integrated into the response, as the student first describes several cell structures (most important … is the cell membrane; exocytosis … membrane breaks off to form a vesicle; contractile vacuoles) and then a few body systems (circulatory system … transports [waste] using blood to the excretory organs; the toxic substance urea is filtered out by the kidneys). The response demonstrates a complete synthesis of information (cellular transport … comes in many forms, such as duffision in which particles move across the membrane from high to low concentration; vesicle, which transports waste out of the cell; Too much water in a cell can also be considered waste), and the accurate use of scientific terminology (barrier; water-dwelling; excess CO₂) enhances the response.

Score for Anchor Paper #8: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response demonstrates a full and complete understanding of the problem. The part of the cell that is involved in the removal of waste is identified and described (cell will push it out through the cell membrane; If it is to large the cell membrane will either open up or surround it, then pull it out). The student integrates a description of how waste is transported from the cell (taken away in the circulatory system) with an explanation of how body systems and specific organs work together to eliminate waste (blood carries it to eithe the liver or kidneys where it is filtered out; travels down through tubes to our bladder and is urinated out; If the waste is carbon dioxide it is carried to the lungs and exhaled; excretory system removes metabolic wastes from our blood). The use of accurate scientific terminology (carbon dioxide; metabolic wastes) enhances the response, and the supporting details are pertinent and complete.