Neolithic Revolution
Mesopotamia
Ancient Egypt
Ancient India
Ancient China/Dynasties
Ancient Hebrews/Judaism
Mongols
Early Americans:
Mayans, Incans, Aztecs
African Empires
Middle Ages/Medieval Times
Renaissance
Reformation
Age of Exploration
Scientific Revolution
Age of Enlightenment
Age of Imperialism
Industrial Revolution
Creating an American
Government
Manifest Destiny &
Westward Expansion
Slavery
Civil War
Reconstruction
American Industrialization
Immigration & Urbanization
Progressive Movement
Roaring 20’s
Civil Rights Movement
Oaklawn Language Academy Social Studies Concept Chart Middle School Social Studies
Berger / Mclean
Exploration / Settlement
Patterns Conflict Cooperation Government/Politics Innovation Geography Equality / Freedom
Regents Exam Thematic Essay Rubric Name: ________________________________________ Date: _________________
CATEGORY 5 - Great! 4 - Very Good 3 - Solid 2 - Needs Work 1 - Poor
Introduction +
Conclusion
Includes an introduction
and a conclusion that are
beyond a restatement of
the theme. Strong thesis
statement
Includes an introduction
and a conclusion that
are beyond a
restatement of the
theme . Good thesis
statement.
Includes an
introduction and a
conclusion that may be
a restatement of the
theme. Superficial
thesis statement
May lack an
introduction and/or a
conclusion . No thesis
statement.
May lack an
introduction and/or a
conclusion. No thesis
statement
Developing the Task
(the “bullet points” in
the task box)
Thoroughly develops all
aspects of the task
evenly and in depth
Develops all aspects of
the task but may do so
somewhat unevenly
Develops all aspects of
the task with little
depth or develops most
aspects of the task in
some depth
Minimally develops all
aspects of the task or
develops some aspects
of the task in some
depth
Minimally develops
some aspects of the
task
Details, Support,
Accuracy
Richly supports the
theme with many
relevant facts, examples,
and details
Supports the theme
with relevant facts,
examples, and details
Includes some relevant
facts, examples, and
details;
Includes few relevant
facts, examples, and
details
Includes few relevant
facts, examples, or
details
Accuracy + Mistakes No inaccurate
information
May have a very minor
inaccuracy
May include some
minor inaccuracies
May include some
inaccuracies
May include
inaccuracies
Description and
Analysis
Is more analytical than
descriptive (analyzes,
evaluates, and/or creates
information)
Is both descriptive and
analytical (applies,
analyzes, evaluates,
and/or creates
information)
Is more descriptive
than analytical
(applies, may analyze,
and/or evaluate
information)
Is primarily
descriptive; may
include faulty, weak,
or isolated application
or analysis
Is descriptive; may
lack understanding,
application, or analysis
OVERALL SCORE __________
NOTE: Regents essays are graded using a “holistic” method. This means that the grader considers the essay as a “whole,” and does not just add up
the scores for the individual parts.
Middle School Social Studies Historical Concept Questions
1. Exploration & Settlement Patterns: What are the causes of exploration and the impact made by settlement patterns?
2. Conflict: Explain the causes and effects of the specific conflict.
3. Cooperation: Identify how cooperation was used in/during ___________.
4. Government/Politics: Analyze the form of government studied and compare it to the government of modern day United
States.
5. Innovation: Synthesize the impact of technology on civilization and how it has changed the way we live today.
6. Geography: How has geography influenced historical events?
7. Equality/Freedom: Describe how equality and freedom have been used, or not used efficiently in/during _______.
Middle School Social Studies Historical Concept Questions
1. Exploration & Settlement Patterns: What are the causes of exploration and the impact made by settlement patterns?
2. Conflict: Explain the causes and effects of the specific conflict.
3. Cooperation: Identify how cooperation was used in/during ___________.
4. Government/Politics: Analyze the form of government studied and compare it to the government of modern day United
States.
5. Innovation: Synthesize the impact of technology on civilization and how it has changed the way we live today.
6. Geography: How has geography influenced historical events?
7. Equality/Freedom: Describe how equality and freedom have been used, or not used efficiently in/during _______.
Exploration &
Settlement Patterns:
What are the causes of exploration and
the impact made by settlement
patterns?
Government/
Politics:
Analyze the form of government studied
and compare it to the government of
modern day United States.
Innovation:
Synthesize the impact of technology on
civilization and how it has changed the
way we live today.
Equality/Freedom:
Describe how equality and freedom have
been used, or not used efficiently
in/during ________________.
DBQ Essay Rubric
Student Name: ________________________________________
CATEGORY 1 2 3 4
Thesis Fails to address the task; confusing and unfocused
Addressed the task but has weak structure and focus
Thesis stated addresses the task in a well written fashion
Strong thesis-responds directly to the question
Use of Documents Fails to use documents correctly; simply paraphrased or misunderstood
Uses most documents correctly-simplistic analysis; does not always weigh the importance or validity of the evidence
Uses documents correctly; recognizes that all evidence is not equally valid
Uses documents completely and accurately; weighs the importance and validity of evidence
Outside Information Includes no relevant information from beyond the documents
Includes little/irrelevant information from outside learning
Cites some relevant information from outside learning
Cites considerable relevant information from outside learning
Use of introduction/conclusion
Does not use opening or concluding statements
Uses an unorganized/irrelevant introduction and concluding paragraph
Includes a good introduction and conclusion
Uses strong introduction and conclusion
Organization Disorganized; littered with errors in standard English
Weaker organization; some errors in writing detract from the essay's meaning
Clearly written and coherent; some minor error in writing
Well structured, well written; proper spelling, grammar, and mechanics
Concepts of History Chapter:____________ Name:_________________
Government/Politics Geography
Innovation
Conflict
Equality/Freedom
Cooperation
Exploration and Settlement Patterns