MHS Chemistry
General Lab Rubric
Mr. Zahm

[THIS PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!]
The purpose of this rubric is to let you know what kind of work is considered outstanding, what work is considered acceptable, what work is nearly acceptable, and what kind of work is considerd unacceptable.  You may know other phrases for these, but they equate with scores of 4, 3, 2, and 1 respectively (and 0 for missing entirely).  They do not automatically equate with A, B, C, D, or F, no matter what anybody else has told you.  See me in person for a full explanation.

This rubric lists the general requirements for each level of work.  The score sheets for each lab come from this rubric: they list the same requirements, broken up by section and repeated as necessary.  For a guide with more detail about how to write a report, see the document "How to Write A Lab Report."

As long as MHS reports grades in A-B-C-D-F format, I will "translate" grades from this rubric as follows:  Each section will be graded on a 0-4 basis.  Your lab report grade will be the percentage of available points earned.  It will be reported as a total and as a percentage.

When and if MHS switches to a 0-4 reporting system, your grade will be equal to the minimum score on any section (eight 4's and one 2 will be a 2).  This is because a lab that appears to be excellent except for a garbled data table is not excellent, it is nearly acceptable.  The on-line version of the Room Management Plan will be always be updated to reflect the school's grading policies.

Meanwhile, here is the General Lab Rubric.  Use it as a guide whenever you are checking your work before handing it in!
 
Score Description
4
  • Title section is complete (your name, partner(s)'s name(s), date, lab title) with appropriate & creative illustration.
  • Clear & appropriate purpose or hypothesis.
  • If you invented the procedure it should be included as numbered list, otherwise it should be properly referenced; with appropriate & creative illustration(s). If you used one from a book or handout, just refer to that source.
  • Data & Observations properly recorded and presented, in order, no decimal errors, all labels present & correct.  Every number named and labeled, proper significant digits, clear columns for each trial.
  • Graphs are present, properly, & accurately constructed, if required.
  • Calculations are shown in proper format, complete and correct for first trial.  Every value include description, number with proper significant digits, and label.
  • Analysis and Questions section(s) complete, correct, clear, and written with proper spelling and grammar. 
  • If necessary, the purpose or hypothesis is specifically addressed.
  • Lab is neatly written in dark (blue or black) ink, no cross-outs, one side of each sheet & stapled in top left corner OR two sides of one sheet, complete, sections in correct order, no notebook "fuzz," no grammar or spelling errors.
  • All safety instructions followed.
  • Lab is on time (or early, of course!)
3
  • Complete title section
  • Clear & appropriate purpose or hypothesis.
  • If necessary, procedure included as numbered list, or properly referenced.
  • Data & Observations properly recorded and presented, few decimal errors, most labels present correct.
  • Graphs are present & accurately constructed, if required.
  • All calculations are shown for one trial, and every value includes description, number, and label.
  • Analysis and Questions section(s) complete, correct, clear, and written with proper spelling and grammar.
  • If necessary, the purpose or hypothesis is specifically addressed.
  • Lab is neatly written in dark ink, few cross-outs, stapled in top left corner OR two sides of one sheet, sections in correct order, no notebook "fuzz," few grammar or spelling errors
  • If the lab is late/unexcused, the maximum score possible will be a 3, regardless of the quality of the work.  Even if you would otherwise get a 4, a perfect late lab can never score higher than 3.  You have been warned!
2
  • Title section contains name and title, but may be missing other components.
  • Unclear or off-the-mark purpose or hypothesis.
  • If necessary, procedure included as narrative in paragraphs.
  • Data & Observations not presented in table form, some decimal errors, most labels present correct, data out of order.
  • Graphs are present but sloppy and/or misleading.  Labels and key missing.
  • Analysis and Questions section(s) complete, correct, clear, and written with proper spelling and grammar.  All calculations are shown for one trial, and every values include description, number, and label.
  • Necessary to specifically address the purpose or hypothesis, but neglected.
  • Lab is difficult to read, written in pencil or light ink (not blue/black), intrusive cross-outs or use of white-out, not stapled, two sides of page used if stapled, sections out of correct order, notebook "fuzz," many few grammar or spelling errors
1
  • Sections missing.
  • Results are incorrect.
  • Major anaylsis questions are incorrect, or not understandable.
0
  • Missing
  • Lab turned in after "no interest date" with no guidance conference.
  • Lab is plagiarized (no improvement or re-write available).

One almost-last note: once in a while a student tries to hand in a report that is obviously not finished or ready to hand in.  I will return those papers immediately, unchecked and ungraded, for completion.  Remember that it is your responsibilty to make sure all work is complete and on time.

And a truly last note: there are two adjustments to this rubric starting in 2005-06.  One is that no mention is made of labs being typed.  This is because I will not accept computer-processed labs for at least the first half of the school year.  I'm not sure how to include the second one above; it is that unless otherwise specified, all labs should be on no-more than one sheet, both sides. 

[How To Write A Lab Report]
[How to Handle Data]
[Significant Figure Rules]
[Scientific Notation information]
[How to Make a Graph]
[How to Show Calculations]

[MHS Chem page][MHS AP Chem page]