Diorama Grading Rubric

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Quality of Construction

The diorama shows considerable attention to construction. The items are neatly trimmed. All items are carefully and securely attached to the backing. There are no stray marks, smudges or glue stains. Nothing is hanging over the edges.

The diorama shows attention to construction. The items are neatly trimmed. All items are carefully and securely attached to the backing. A few barely noticeable stray marks, smudges or glue stains are present. Nothing is hanging over the edges.

The diorama shows some attention to construction. Most items are neatly trimmed. All items are securely attached to the backing. A few barely noticeable stray marks, smudges or glue stains are present. Nothing is hanging over the edges.

The diorama was put together sloppily. Items appear to be just "slapped on". Pieces may be loose or hanging over the edges. Smudges, stains, rips, uneven edges, and/or stray marks are evident.

Creativity

Several of the objects used in the diorama reflect an exceptional degree of student creativity in their creation and/or display

One or two of the objects used in the diorama reflect student creativity in their creation and/or display.

One or two objects were made or customized by the student, but the ideas were typical rather than creative (.e.g, apply the emboss filter to a drawing in Photoshop).

The student did not make or customize any of the items on the diorama.

Design

Objects are an appropriate size and interesting shape and are arranged well. Care has been taken to balance the diorama scene.

Objects are an appropriate size and interesting shape and are arranged well. The diorama, however does not appear balanced.

Objects are an appropriate size and shape, but the arrangement of items is not very attractive. It appears there was not a lot of planning of the item placement.

Objects are of an inappropriate size and/or shape. It appears little attention was given to designing the diorama.

Number of Items

The dioram includes 15 or more items, each different.

The diorama includes 10-14 different items.

The diorama includes 9 different items.

The diorama contains fewer than 9 different items.

Time and Effort

Class time was used wisely. Much time and effort went into the planning and design of the diorama. It is clear the student worked at home as well as at school.

Class time was used wisely. Student could have put in more time and effort at home.

Class time was not always used wisely, but student did do some additional work at home.

Class time was not used wisely and the student put in no additional effort.

Attention to Theme

The student gives a reasonable explanation of how every item in the diorama is related to the assigned ecosystem. For most items, the relationship is clear without explanation.

The student gives a reasonable explanation of how most items in the diorama are related to the assigned theme. For many of the items, the relationship is clear without explanation.

The student gives a fairly and reasonable explanation of how most items in the diorama are related to the assigned theme.

The student's explanations are weak and illustrate difficulty understanding how to relate items to the assigned theme.