Fossil Sleuth Rubric
Evidence Board Rubric
Case: The Missing Badlands Fossil
Student Name
Objective: Create an evidence board identifying the four suspects (Daria, Felix, Kristal, Julian) and their character traits. Use specific details from the story and chemistry concepts to support your case.
| Criteria | Advanced (4) | Proficient (3) | Developing (1-2) |
|---|
| Suspect Profiles | Daria, Felix, Kristal, and Julian are all identified with detailed, accurate traits from the narrative. | All 4 suspects are included with mostly accurate traits. | Missing suspects or traits are inaccurate/incomplete. |
| Evidence Usage | Uses specific details (sketchbook clues, chemical reactions) to link or clear every suspect. | Uses general details from the text for most suspects. | Evidence is missing, vague, or not based on the story. |
| Organization | Layout is logical and creative; clear visual connections between clues and suspects. | Board follows the visual template correctly and is easy to read. | Board is disorganized, messy, or difficult to follow. |
| Chemistry Link | Accurately explains how chemistry concepts helped Amy solve the missing fossil mystery. | Mentions chemistry concepts but explanation is brief or basic. | Chemistry concepts are missing or misunderstood. |
Teacher Feedback
Final Score
/ 16
Excellent Work, Sleuth!
Fossil Sleuth Slides
Fossil Thief Files
The Badlands Sleuth Case
Mission: Evidence Board Setup
The Case Brief
Amy, our lead detective, has found a major discrepancy.
6 detailed drawings exist in the camper's sketchbook, but only 5 fossils remain in the lab.
1
Identify the thief among the 4 main suspects.
2
Use chemistry clues and character traits.
3
Present your case on the Evidence Board.
Target Suspects
DARIA
FILE #001
FELIX
FILE #002
KRISTAL
FILE #003
JULIAN
FILE #004
Evidence Board Layout
DARIA
FELIX
SKETCHBOOK CLUES
KRISTAL
JULIAN
CHEMISTRY LAB
Evidence Board
Profiles
Include a drawing, character traits, and their connection to the case.
The Clue List
Note physical evidence like the sketchbook and missing fossils.
Chemistry Lab
How did science help you narrow down the suspects?
Inside Each Suspect File
TOP SECRET
Character Traits
- Identify 2-3 traits from the story.
Evidence Notes
- What does the sketchbook say?
- What did they do in the lab?
Mission Success Criteria
Completeness
All 4 suspects are profiled with names, traits, and evidence.
Accuracy
Chemistry concepts and story details match the text exactly.
Design
Board is organized, legible, and visual (drawings included!).
Solve the case before the dig ends!