Rubric for Grading Art

Rubric for Grading Art

Criteria / 4 points / 3 points / 2 points / 1 point / Total
Principles and Elements of Art / The artwork demonstrates effective use of the principles and elements of art. / The artwork demonstrates good use of the principles of art while using one or more elements of art. / The artwork demonstrates some use of the principles of art while using one or more elements of art. / The artwork demonstrates little evidence of the elements and principles of art.
Aspects of Scientific Concepts / The artwork demonstrates effective use of an aspect of a scientific concept / The artwork demonstrates good use an aspect of a scientific concept. / The artwork demonstrates some aspect of a scientific concept. / The artwork fails to demonstrate an aspect of a scientific concept.
Scientific Aesthetic / The artwork creates and effective metaphor or analogy for a scientific concept that successfully engages the viewer on the chosen topic. The summary is well written and original. / The artwork demonstrates good metaphor or analogy of a scientific concept and helps to engage viewer. The summary is good and original. / The artwork demonstrates some understanding of a scientific concept and somewhat helps to engage the viewer. The summary of the concept is barely acceptable. / The artwork demonstrates little understanding of a scientific concept and does not engage the viewer. The written summary appears copied.
Effort / The artwork demonstrates outstanding effort; the student was meticulous when finalizing the design of the artwork. / The artwork demonstrates good effort; with additional effort the art might have been outstanding. / The student finished the project, but it could have been improved with more effort. / The project was completed with minimum effort.
Total

Basic Aspects of Scientific Concepts*

Organization, Cause and Effect, Systems, Scale, Models, Change, Structure and Function, Variation, Diversity

·  Organization. Science is made manageable by organizing and classifying natural phenomena. For example, natural objects can be assembled in hierarchies (atoms, molecules, mineral grains, rocks, strata, hills, mountains, and planets). Or objects can be arranged according to their complexity (single-celled amoeba, sponges, and so on to mammals).

·  Cause and effect. Nature behaves in predictable ways. Searching for explanations is the major activity of science; effects cannot occur without causes.

·  Systems. A system is a whole that is composed of parts arranged in an orderly manner according to some scheme or plan. In science, systems involve matter, energy, and information that move through defined pathways. The amount of matter, energy, and information, and the rate at which they are transferred through the pathways, varies over time.

·  Scale refers to quantity, both relative and absolute. Thermometers, rulers, and weighing devices are used to show that the extent and energy of objects vary in quantity.

·  Models. Many objects described by science are too massive or too small to see, or are based on abstract theory. As a consequence, scientists frequently use models to create or design objects that represent other things.

·  Change. The natural world continually changes, although some changes may be too slow to observe. Rates of change vary.

·  Structure and function. A relationship exists between the way organisms and objects look (feel, smell, sound, and taste) and the things they do.

·  Variation. All organisms and objects have distinctive properties. Some of these properties are so distinctive that no continuum connects them—for example, living and nonliving things, or sugar and salt. In most of the natural world, however, the properties of organisms and objects vary continuously.

·  Diversity. This is the most obvious characteristic of the natural world. There are many types of objects and organisms and diversity in nature is essential for natural systems to survive. Children can explore and investigate a pond, for instance, to learn that different organisms feed on different things.

*Developed by the National Center for Improving Science Education

Principles of Art

Unity, Harmony, Balance, Emphasis, Variety, Contrast, Pattern, Rhythm, Proportion

·  Unity or harmony is the quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of art. This refers to the organization of the elements and principles to create a feeling of completeness.

·  Balance refers to the arrangement of elements so that no one part of a work overpowers any other part. Two different kinds of balance are symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical (also called formal) balance occurs when both sides of an artwork, if split down the middle, appear to be the same. The human body is an example of symmetrical balance.

·  Emphasis (also called focal point) is where a viewer’s attention is focused or concentrated through the use of design principles or meaning. An artist develops emphasis using points of interest that pull the viewer's eye to important parts of the body of the work. Emphasis makes one part of an artwork dominant over the other parts so that one element or object will stand out.

·  Variety (also known as alternation) is the quality or state of having different forms or types. Differences give are visual and conceptual interest. Variety can be expressed through the use of contrast, emphasis, color, or proportion.

·  Contrast is used to show difference and diversity in a work of art by combining elements to create interest. Contrast can be achieved by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values.

·  Pattern and rhythm (also known as repetition) refers to the consistency of colors or lines. They indicate movement through a repetition of shapes, colors, and other art elements. Alternating lights and darks give a sense of rhythm. Rhythm can make an artwork seem active.

·  Proportion (also called to as scale) refers to relationships between the sizes of objects in a body of work.

Elements of Art

Form, Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Space, Value

·  Form is three-dimensional and encloses a volume. Cubes, spheres, and cylinders are examples of various forms.

·  Line refers to the continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point. It may be two dimensional, like a pencil mark on a paper or it may be three dimensional like a wire. Line can also be implied by an edge, outline, contour or silhouette.

·  Shape is an enclosed space that has the appearance of two- or three-dimensional objects. Color has three properties: 1) Hue is the name given to the color, such as red, green, or yellow. 2) Intensity refers to the purity and strength of the color. Words that can be used to describe intensity include brightness or dullness. 3) Value refers to the lightness or darkness of the color.

·  Texture refers to the surface quality or an object, such as roughness, smoothness, or softness. Actual texture can be felt while simulated textures are implied by the way the artist renders areas in the picture.

·  Space refers to the distance or area between, around, above, or within things.

·  Value describes the lightness or darkness of a color.