Grade 5-8 Performance Task
Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
NYS Alternative Assessment in Science Project (1996)
|
Tasks 1 & 2 - Directions
|
No credit
|
| Tasks 3 & 4 - Soil Observations |
2 points total
|
Standard: The student will examine the soil samples
and make conclusions about the size of the particles that make
up the sample.
Criteria:
| Tasks 5-11 - Directions |
No credit
|
| Tasks 12 & 13 - Data Table |
1 point total
|
Standard: The students will record their data in a data
table.
Criteria:
- All three times should be recorded in seconds - 1 point
| Task 14 - Bar Graph |
4 points total
|
Standard: The students will graph the data from their
data chart.
Criteria:
- Both axes labeled - 1 point
- Appropriate scale - 1 point
- Bar graph drawn and consistent with 3 values from student's
data - 2 points OR
- Two values from data plotted correctly - 1 point
| Task 15 - Best Puddle |
3 points total
|
Standard: The students will choose the sample that makes
the best puddle.
Criteria:
- Sample that makes the best puddles (silt - based on data)
- 1 point
- Statement explaining choice in complete sentences - 2
points OR
- Correct statement not in complete sentences - 1 point
Sample of acceptable answers: statement describes porosity, permeability,
or capillarity
| Task 16 - Gardener's Belief |
2 points total
|
Standard: The students will explain why or why not they
support the beliefs of the gardeners.
Criteria:
- Student generalizes about permeability depending on particle
size and/or sorting in complete sentences - 2 points
OR
- Correct explanation, not in complete sentences - 1 point
| Highest possible score |
12 points
|
Puddles and Soil - Scoring Form
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.
| Tasks 1-2 - Directions |
|
no credit
|
|
| 3. Largest pieces - sand or soil |
0
|
1
|
|
| 4. Smallest pieces - silt |
0
|
1
|
|
| Tasks 5-11 - Directions |
|
no credit
|
|
| 12. Data table |
0
|
1
|
|
| 14. Graph of data |
|
|
|
|
|
0
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
1
|
|
- Bar graph drawn and consistent with data
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
| 15. Best puddle |
|
|
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- Choice of silt sample or longest time
|
0
|
1
|
|
|
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
| 16. Gardeners' belief |
|
|
|
- Explanation about permeability depending on particle size
and/or sorting
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
TOTAL SCORE ______________
Highest possible score -12 points
|
