Download Name ______ Rubric for the New Species Poem

Name _______________ # _____
Check in #1 ____________ Check in #2 ____________
Good copy and picture due ________________
New Species Poem
My Learning Skills Goal (circle 1): E
My Academic Goal (Circle 1): 4
3
G
S
N
2
Task: Write a poem about a new species you discovered in an old lunch bag at the
bottom of your locker. You will be assessed on your ability to use the science terms to
write your poem and your ability to use the proper meter for the poem. The rough copy
will be completed in class. You may work on your picture or finish the good copy at
home.
It’s October and that means Halloween is coming. It is a time when strange discoveries
can be made. But nothing could be as strange as the discovery you make at the bottom
of your locker. You have just cleaned out your locker and found an old lunch bag
containing an unidentified organism. The organism is like none you have ever seen. In
fact, it could be a new species. What does it look like? What does it eat? What is its
habitat? Only you can answer these questions. This is the perfect opportunity to use
your knowledge of grade 7 science.
If you have trouble getting in the mood to write your poem, try writing under a full moon
in a pumpkin patch with a black cat at your feet. Have fun and I look forward to reading
your poem.
Success Criteria
Hand in your work when each criteria has been completed and checked off.
____ Your achievement goal is included.
____ Each science word is underlined or highlighted once.
____ The poem is neatly written or typed.
____ The title includes an alliteration.
____ The poem follows the ABCB rhyme scheme and the 8-6-8-6 beat pattern for each
stanza in the quatrain
____ Your picture is neatly coloured and includes details mentioned in the poem
____ The rough copies are handed in with the good copy to show the writing process.
SCIENCE VOCABULARY TO USE IN YOUR ARTICLE
Include words from the following list in your poem. Underline or highlight each word the first
time you use it in your poem.
Make sure you use enough words in your poem to reach your goal.
Level 4: 10-12 different science words
Level 3: 7-9 different science words
Level 2: 4-6 different science words
ecosystem
producer
invasive species
stewardship
abiotic
consumer
native species
prey
biotic
herbivore
nutrients
carnivore
niche
food web
omnivore
predator
food chain
scavenger
energy flow
decomposer
photosynthesis
detritivore
succession
species
individual
organism
population
energy pyramid
organic matter
habitat
community
cycling of matter
sustainability
limiting factor
bioinvasion
primary consumer
secondary consumer
tertiary consumer
nutrients
glucose
Use the space below to write down other science words you would like to use in your project.
Show the words to your teacher and have him initial the words to indicate they have been
approved.
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Name _____________ Rubric for the New Species Poem
CRITERIA
Use of
science
words
Level 4
10-12 science words
used correctly to create a
poem that is very
engaging and/or
entertaining.
Meanings of all or almost
all science words are
clear from their use in the
poem
Writing Style
(rhyme
scheme and
beat pattern)
Use of
Alliteration
Picture
Independent
Work Habits
Level 3
7-9 science words used
correctly to create a poem
that is usually believable
and/or entertaining
Meanings of most science
words are clear from their
use in the article
Level 2
4-6 science words used
correctly
Meanings of words are not
always clear from their use
in the poem
Excellent use of rhyme
scheme (ABCB) and beat
pattern (8-6-8-6)
throughout the poem.
The poem flows very well
and is written in a
powerful voice to tell the
story about the discovery
of a new species
Strong use of rhyme
scheme (ABCB) and beat
pattern (8-6-8-6) throughout
the poem.
The poem flows well and
does an effective job of
telling the story about the
discovery of a new species
Excellent ability to use
alliteration to create an
imaginative title that
relates to the poem
Outstanding ability to
draw and colour a picture
of the new species in its
habitat. The picture
includes many of the
details about the species
and habitat mentioned in
the poem.
Solid ability to use
alliteration to create an
imaginative title that relates
to the poem
Solid ability to draw and
colour a picture of the new
species. The picture
includes many of the details
about the species
mentioned in the poem.
Satisfactory use of rhyme
scheme (ABCB) and beat
pattern (8-6-8-6) in parts of
the poem.
Parts of the poem flow well
and do a good job of telling
the story about the
discovery of a new species
while other parts of the
poem are difficult to
understand
Some success using
alliteration to create a title
but the connection to the
poem is unclear
Satisfactory ability to make
a picture of the new
species. The picture
includes some details about
the species mentioned in
the poem
Always on task and
making strong progress
(Usually does not need
reminders in a period)
Usually on task and making
strong progress (Usually
needs 1 reminder in a work
period)
satisfactory ability to stay
on task and make progress
(Usually needs 2 reminders
in a work period)
Helpful Hints about the Assignment
1. An alliteration is a series of words that start with the same letter.
2. A stanza is a group of lines within a poem. In this assignment, a stanza is 4 lines
and is repeated a number of times until you have told your story.
3. Your poem must use the 8-6-8-6 beat pattern in each stanza. Clap out each line or
count the beats on your fingers to make sure you have the right number of beats.
4. The rhyme scheme is ABCB. Line that rhyme are represented by the same letter.
This means the second and fourth lines rhyme in each stanza. Line #1 and line #3 do
not rhyme. That’s why they are represented by different letters.
5. Choose short words for your rhyming words. They are easier to rhyme than longer
words.
6. Begin each line with a capital letter.
7. Include at least one science word in each stanza.
8. Include details about one main idea in each stanza.
9. If a line has one too many beats, try adding a contraction to eliminate a beat.
For example, the last line of an earlier draft of the poem shown below read like this:
To ensure she is ok
This line has 7 beats instead of the required 6. By changing she is to she’s I achieved
the required 6 beats.
10. Be selective with your word choice and use of language. You don’t have to use full
sentences. Line 2 of the first stanza is an example of using only a few words to get the
message across. If that line was written properly it would say, The creature’s habitat is
my locker. This would be too many beats.
Here is a sample of an unfinished poem. It only has two stanzas. Your poem will have
more stanzas. There are notes about the poem written to the right of the poem.
My Magnificent Milli *The title is capitalized and uses alliteration
Ehh Gad! I found a new species.
*Science words are underlined to stand out
Habitat?-- My locker.
*Each line begins with a capital letter
The teacher frowned and screeched at me,
That news is a shocker.
*Notice that locker and shocker rhyme
Milli is a green omnivore.
She feeds throughout the day,
Getting the nutrients she needs
To ensure she’s ok.
*This line has 8 beats
*this line has 6 beats
*This line has 8 beats
*This line has 6 beats