Science in the News
Assignment Sheet
CC.7.8.R.L.1 Key Ideas and Details: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.1Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
New discoveries and applications are constantly being discovered. It is important for you as
students and young adults to know and understand the impact science and technology has in
your daily life.
As a means of encouraging you to be aware of the world around you, and develop critical
thinking skills, you are required to do “Science in the News” assignments.
This assignment is worth 20% of your grade. One article is due on the last school day of each
month. “Science in the News” must be completed on LOOSE LEAF PAPER and must contain the
following:
1. The title of the article centered at the top.
**# each step below on your paper with proper bolded heading**
2. Reference(s): Write an APA format bibliography. Use the PINK packet for help.
3. Summary: A summary (at least half a page 1-2 paragraphs) of the article. In your own words
summarize the article. Show in your summary a basic understanding of what you have read. If
you just copy straight from the article you will get an automatic ZERO.
4. Reflection: Answer the following questions:
(You must use complete sentences that indicate what the question was. You may
answer the questions individually, or you may write a paragraph format as long as these
questions are covered. Be thoughtful and complete in your answers.)
1. Why did you pick this article?
2. What was the author’s purpose or point in writing this article?
3. What impact is this discovery/news having now, and what implications or
possibilities are there for the future?
4. Are there any political or moral aspects to the news? Explain why or why not. What
do you think?
5. What are some comments or ideas you might have after reading this article? (Did
you enjoy it, did it accomplish what the author intended, did you learn something,
do you see a situation differently now, etc? Give your thoughts and opinions about
what you read.)
Science in the News Rubric (12 PTS)
Score
3
Assignment
guidelines
Reference
Summary
Reflection:
Questions
Mechanics
12 Points
possible
Skill building
20%
Summary
displays
mastery of
article in
student’s
own words
Questions 1-5
thoughtfully
answered
and in
complete
sentences
Handwriting
is neat (or
typed); no
grammar,
spelling, or
punctuation
errors
2
1
All
requirements
are met.
Source is
Lacks
properly cited information
in APA format or no citation
is visible
Summary
Summary
displays
displays lack
moderate
of
understanding understanding
of article
of article
One or more
questions
missed on
incompletely
answered
Two or more
questions
missed or
incompletely
answered
One grammar,
spelling or
punctuation
error
Some words
are illegible;
two or more
grammar,
spelling, or
punctuation
errors
SelfEvaluates
Teacher
Evaluates