Writing Assignment and Rubric – Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Read the following writing prompts. You will choose ONE to complete as one of two3rdsix week’s writing assignments. Each will be 5% of your average. Take the assignment seriously. Use the rubric for your prompt to guide you.

  1. You wake up one morning and realize YOU ARE GREEN! This is due to all your mitochondria turning into chloroplasts (you now have NO mitochondria). In an essay explain how you will survive both day and night. Also explain what is happening in your chloroplasts and cells to keep you alive.
  2. You are an oxygen molecule floating in the air near a rabbit about to pass into its nasal passageways. Tell the story of your adventure through cellular respiration of the rabbit and then photosynthesis in a plant.

Before you begin writing you must show your thoughts and ideas using the ABS format. You will have time to work on this in class. You must include your “brainstorm” graphic with your paper and rubric.

ABS Process:

ATTACK!

1)Cross out extra information not needed

2)Circle task (verb) and what you will do (explain, describe, evaluate, etc)

3)Draw arrow to specific information verbs address

4)Rewrite the writing task

BRAINSTORM!

1)Use graphic organizer

2)Brainstorm arguments/ ideas

3)Make sure each argument/idea has specific examples

4)Ensure your examples are specific

SEQUENCE!

1)Number order arguments will appear in essay (don’t have to use all of them)

2)In scientific argument evidence is used to make a case whether scientific ideas should be accepted or rejected

Student Name: ______Due Date: ______

Staple this to the front of your writing assignment and graphic organizer when you turn it in.

YOU ARE GREEN! / 5
points / 3
points / 1
points / 0
points
How do you get energy / Clearly explain process of photosynthesis / Partial explanation of photosynthesis / Wrong explanation of photosynthesis / No explanation of photosynthesis
What’s happening in your cells / Clearly explain how the cells function using the products of photosynthesis for survival / Partial explanation of how the cells function using the products of photosynthesis for survival / Little or incorrect explanation of how the cells function using the products of photosynthesis for survival / No explanation of how the cells function using the products of photosynthesis for survival
Surviving day and night / Clearly explain how you will survive during the day and night. / Partial explanation of how you will survive during the day and night. / Poor explanation of how you will survive during the day and night. / No explanation of how you will survive during the day and night.
Writing & Creativity / Complete sentences, legible – neat handwriting, creative and thoughtful / Complete sentences, legible – neat handwriting, little creativity / Complete sentences, legible – neat handwriting, no creativity / Some incomplete sentences or run-ons, little effort shown to be legible

For the teacher to fill out:

Points earned ______out of 20 possible points. Total grade = ______

Student Name: ______Due Date: ______

Staple this to the front of your writing assignment and graphic organizer when you turn it in.

Oxygen Adventure / 5
points / 3
points / 1
points / 0
points
Cellular Respiration / From inhale to mitochondrion to exhale, full explanation of entire trip / From inhale to mitochondrion to exhale, partial explanation of entire trip / Partial explanation of trip including mitochondrion / No explanation of Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis / From entering as oxygen to chloroplast to leaving as CO2, full explanation of entire trip / From entering as oxygen to chloroplast to leaving as CO2, partial explanation of entire trip / Partial explanation of trip including chloroplast / No explanation of Photosynthesis
Writing & Creativity / Complete sentences, legible – neat handwriting, creative and thoughtful / Complete sentences, legible – neat handwriting, little creativity / Complete sentences, legible – neat handwriting, no creativity / Some incomplete sentences or run-ons, little effort shown to be legible

For the teacher to fill out:

Points earned ______out of 15 possible points. Total grade = ______