Grade 5-8 Performance Task
Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
NYS Alternative Assessment in Science Project (1996)
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Maximum Score - 12 points
| 1. Data Table |
2 points total
|
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- Standard: The student will determine the actual
volume of soil and water and record it correctly for the data
table. The student will also calculate and record the difference
between the total and the actual values.
Criteria:
- A. correct recording of the actual volume of air and soil
mixture. Allowable variation +/- 10% of teacher's determination.
1 point
B. correct recording of the difference between the student's
total and actual values. 1 point
-
- Comment 1: Students should be given points based on their data
even if it was incorrect for actual volume.
| 2. Percentage of Air |
2 points total
|
Standard: The student will calculate the percentage
of air in the soil based on their data.
Criteria:
A. Substitution of values correct. 1 point
B. Calculations correct based on the values substituted.
1 point
| 3. Why Soil with Pore Space is Good |
2 points total
|
Standard: The student will write a logical statement
that relates pore space to water storage and availability for
plant usage.
Criteria:
- A logical and reasonable explanation using complete sentences.
2 points
- Logical and reasonable answer, but not in complete sentences.
1 point
| 4. Experimental Plan |
6 points total
|
Standard: The student will design a controlled
experiment to determine the amount of water in soil samples. The
design will include the following ideas:
- a statement or question for a problem
- formulated hypothesis
- list of materials
- a specific procedure to collect data
- identify variables
- a way to present, analyze, and report data
Criteria:
- for EACH of the six ideas - 1 point each
- give no points for ideas that are omitted or incorrect
| Highest possible score |
12 points
|
Scoring Form - Air in Soil
Student ID ______________
Male / Female (circle one)
Circle the student's score for each question. Add the points for
each question and write the total score at the bottom of the scoring
form.
| 1. Data table |
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| A. actual volume of soil |
0
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1
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| B. difference between actual and total |
0
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1
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| 2. Percentage of air |
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| A. substitution |
0
|
1
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| B. calculations |
0
|
1
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| 3. Why soil with air is good |
0
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1
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2
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| 4. Experimental plan |
0
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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Total Score _____________
(Total possible score - 12 points)
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