The following 7 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 contains evidence of some understanding of the question. Supporting details are minimally effective. The student briefly describes why a cracked beaker is unsafe (if the beaker breaks….it could a fire), and identifies two safety precautions that should be taken (wear rubber gloves, and some eye protection).

Score for Anchor Paper #2: Rubric Score 1

Annotation: This response contains evidence of some understanding of the question. The student briefly mentions unsafe uses of laboratory equipment and procedures (not wearing safety goggles, he will probably burn himself because he's not holding the cylinder with tongs; should be using a beaker instead of a cyilinder). Some reasons for following procedures (someone could get burned; someone could get cut) are given, and safety precautions (always wearing safety goggles and no horseplay) are listed. The supporting details are minimally effective.

Score for Anchor Paper #3: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. Several safety procedures are given (make sure all materials you use are not broken; wearing goggles; wearing gloves; use tongs) and specific reasons for their use are provided (could shatter under an emmense ammount of heat; protect his eyes from any chemicals; harmful chemicals to seep in the pores of his hands; could result in injury such as a burn). Although the student does not address all aspects of the question, the supporting details are adequate.

Score for Anchor Paper #4: Rubric Score 2

Annotation: This response contains evidence of a basic understanding of the question. Adequate supporting details are provided. Several unsafe procedures are listed (not wearing goggles to protect his eyes; not holding the tub that could be hot with prongs; beaker is cracking; not using the correct heating device).Two reasons for following correct procedure are given (so that no one gets hurt and so that the results of your experiment are correct). Safety precautions that the student has used are described (wearing goggles to protect my eyes from chemicals or glass that might shatter; not put something ice cold in something very hot because the glass will break). The supporting details are adequate.

Score for Anchor Paper #5: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. Generally complete supporting details are provided. Several unsafe procedures are identified and reasons why they are unsafe are provided (should be wearing the goggles because that glass or chemicals could explode…splash on his eyes; lab jacket should be worn, clothes could easily get something on it and stain it; sometimes caught fire). Sufficient reasons are given for the importance of following correct procedures (could really get hurt; could go blind, get burnt or even stain himself). The student relates the above lab safety procedures to safety precautions used in actual, high school laboratory settings.

Score for Anchor Paper #6: Rubric Score 3

Annotation: This response contains evidence of a good understanding of the question. The supporting details are generally complete. Unsafe laboratory procedures are listed (crack in beaker; not using a test tube clamp; not wearing any goggles or an apron), and explanations as to why these are unsafe are provided (could cause the distilled water to leak; could burn his hand). The student describes how to make this setup safe (the beaker would be clean, sturdy without a crack; a test tube clamp is used to hold a test tube so that the tester would not be burned; test tube should always point…away from the scientist and others; goggles & an apron is important to protect your body and eyes). The importance of following the correct procedure is succinctly explained (so that you can perform a safe experiment and produce accurate results). Some synthesis of information is demonstrated through the discussion of the safety procedures. The student strengthens the response by adding safety precautions from their own experiences (tied my hair back to prevent it from getting in the way; wore goggles and an apron to protect my eyes and body from spills and burns; took off jewelry; rolled up my sleeves; read through instructions twice).

Score for Anchor Paper #7: Rubric Score 4

Annotation: This response contains evidence of a full and complete understanding of the question. The student provides a complete synthesis of information. All aspects of the question are discussed using complete and pertinent supporting details. The student thoroughly discussed unsafe procedures (not wearing safety eye goggles or gloves to protect him; working over an open flame; putting the entire tube of frog blood in the cracked container), a correct setup of the investigation (put some distilled water on a slide and use an eyedropper to add the frog's blood; use the microscope…he wouldn't be in danger of the open flame), the importance of following correct laboratory procedures (he could catch fire or get the solution in his eyes), and some safety precautions used in an actual school laboratory setting (wash your hands before and after; wear protective eye gear; keep away from damaged broken equipment; keep away from open flames,)

Additional Scored Student Responses