4th Grade Performance Task
Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
NYS Alternative Assessment in Science Project (1996)
Task:
At this station, you will be identifying some unknown
creatures.
Background:
There are millions of living things in the world.
Somehow scientists must be able to identify unknown creatures.
To do this, scientists use a classification key.
The key is like a treasure map. Scientists look
for certain characteristics of creatures to help them find their
way through the map and identify the new creatures.
Directions:
1. Circle the three (3) creatures that you would
like to identify.
2. Using the classification key follow the steps
taken to identify the example pictured below.
CLASSIFICATION KEY
| #1 |
A. Three sided creature..........
B. Four sided creature............ |
Go to #2
Go to #5 |
| #2 |
C. Crossed eyes....................
D. Eyes not crossed............... |
Go to #3
Go to #7 |
| #3 |
E. Nose.................................
F. No nose............................ |
Go to #8
Go to #9 |
| #4 |
G. Nose.................................
H. No nose............................ |
Go to #8
Go to #10 |
| #5 |
I. Crossed-eyes.....................
J. Eyes not crossed................ |
Go to #4
Go to #7 |
| #6 |
K. Smiling..............................
L. Frowning........................... |
Dopey
Breezy |
| #7 |
M. Nose................................
N. No nose............................ |
Go to #6
Go to #9 |
| #8 |
O. Smiling..............................
P. Frowning........................... |
Happy
Sneezy |
| #9 |
Q. Smiling..............................
R. Frowning........................... |
Bashful
Grumpy |
| #10 |
S. Smiling...............................
T. Frowning........................... |
Doc
Sleepy |
Answer Sheet
Identifying Creatures
3. Be sure to write the number of the three (3)
creatures that you circled on page #1, in the proper space below.
4. Use the classification key, on page #2, to write
the steps you used to identify te name of the creature. Don't
forget to write the number and letter for each step.
5. Be sure to start at #1 when using the classification
key to identify each new creature.
6. Write the name of the creature in the space provided
at the bottom.
