# Particle Model of Matter: Marking Guide

## Task

Students present a labelled model or report on the particle model of matter, showing how particles behave in solids, liquids, and gases.

## Curriculum alignment

This task assesses the following outcomes from Grade 5 Science, Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy.

- Guiding question: How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained using the particle model of matter? ([Guiding question](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472))
- Learning outcome: Students investigate the particle model of matter in relation to the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases ([Outcome](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473)).
- Knowledge and skills: representing solids, liquids, and gases using the particle model, relating particle movement and arrangement to state of matter, and describing the effect of attractive forces on particle behaviour ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)).

## Rubric

| Criterion | Beginning | Developing | Proficient | Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particle ideas (all matter is made of particles, particles move, spaces exist between them) | States one particle idea with help; ideas are incomplete or missing ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | States most particle ideas but explanations are vague or partly incorrect ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Clearly states that matter is made of moving particles with spaces between them ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Explains particle ideas accurately and connects them to real examples from daily life ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). |
| Representing solids, liquids, and gases | Model or report shows one state correctly; others are missing or unclear ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Shows two of three states with mostly correct particle arrangement and movement ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Represents all three states with correct particle arrangement and movement ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Represents all three states accurately and compares them clearly to show differences ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). |
| Attractive forces between particles | Does not mention attractive forces or states them incorrectly ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Mentions attractive forces but does not link them to solid, liquid, or gas behaviour ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Correctly describes attractive forces as strongest in solids and weakest in gases ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). | Explains how attractive forces cause the differences in particle spacing and movement across all three states ([Details](https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)). |
| Model or report clarity and labelling | Labels are missing or unclear; ideas are hard to follow. | Some labels are present; organization needs support to follow. | Model or report is clearly labelled and organized in a logical order. | Labels and layout are precise and help explain the science accurately to a reader unfamiliar with the topic. |

## Scoring

Assign each criterion a level: Beginning (1 point), Developing (2 points), Proficient (3 points), or Exemplary (4 points). Add the four scores for a total out of 16.

- 4 to 7 points: Beginning overall
- 8 to 10 points: Developing overall
- 11 to 13 points: Proficient overall
- 14 to 16 points: Exemplary overall

Share the total score and the level descriptors with students so they can see which specific skills to strengthen next.

## Notes for the teacher

- Look for the words particles, spaces, and attractive forces in student explanations before scoring the top two levels on the first and third criteria.
- A model with strong visuals but weak explanation should not score higher than Developing on the particle ideas criterion.
- When students work in pairs, mark each partner separately based on their spoken or written explanation, not just the shared model.
- Keep a sample of Proficient-level work from this class to anchor your judgment when marking future submissions.

---
*AILI marking guide · language en · model claude-sonnet-5 · generated 2026-09-17 · id 2b76495d-f767-4ebd-b8f5-f33ea31a5ae1*

### Sources

- node:n1: Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36471)
- node:n2: How can states of matter and other physical properties be explained using the particle model of matter? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36472)
- node:n3: Students investigate the particle model of matter in relation to the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36473)
- node:n4: Details (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36475)
- node:n5: Matter: Understandings of the physical world are deepened by investigating matter and energy. (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36575)
- node:n6: How can the particles of matter be influenced by heating or cooling? (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36576)
- node:n7: Students investigate how particles of matter behave when heated or cooled and analyze effects on solids, liquids, and ga (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36577)
- node:n8: Details (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/36579)
- node:n9: Unit A: Mix and Flow of Matter (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17299)
- node:n10: Outcomes for Science, Technology and Society (STS) and Knowledge (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17300)
- node:n11: *Students will:* Investigate and compare the properties of gases and liquids; and relate variations in their viscosity,  (https://goa-cc-uat-aili-app-001.azurewebsites.net/explore/node/17303)