Grades 5-8 Performance Task
Contributed by: Assessment of Performance Unit
1985 Administration
Description:
Students follow directions for a simple chemical experiment. The
task assesses students' abilities to follow simple directions and
correctly utilize equipment.
This task is designed to take students approximately 10-15 minutes
to complete.
Overall Task Content Area:
- Physical Science
Specific Knowledge Areas:
-
Performance Expectations:
- conducting investigations
- using equipment
National Science Education Standards:
8 A SI 1: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry:
Grades 5-8
1.3 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze,
and interpret data. The use of tools and techniques, including mathematics,
will be guided by the question asked and the investigations students
design. The use of computers for the collection, summary, and display
of evidence is part of this standard. Students should be able to
access, gather, store, retrieve, and organize data, using hardware
and software designed for these purposes.
1.8 Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry. Mathematics
is essential to asking and answering questions about the natural
world. Mathematics can be used to ask questions; to gather, organize,
and present data; and to structure convincing explanations.
8 B PS 1: Properties and Changes in Properties of Matter:
Grades 5-8
1.1 A substance has characteristic properties, such as density,
a boiling point, and solubility, all of which are independent of
the amount of the sample. A mixture of substances often can be separated
into the original substances using one or more of the characteristic
properties.
(Use the "hot" link on the PALS home page
to check the full text of related National Science Education Standards,
if desired.)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics:
Algebra (AL1): Understand patterns, relations and
functions.
Problem Solving (PS2): Solve problems that arise
in mathematics and in other contexts.
General Instructions to the Teacher:
This task is designed to take students approximately 10-15 minutes
to complete.
Students will be working individually during this exercise.
Students should be ready to work as soon as the period begins.
The materials should be set out at each lab station, if possible.
A central supply area, if needed, should be easily accessible. All
supplies should be clearly labeled.
Materials for:
At this station students should have:
- Bunsen Burner
- Spatula
- Test tube rack
- Boiling tube
- Test tube holder
- Funnel
- Flask
- Powder
Advance Preparation:
- Prepare powder in a container labeled P.
- The Bunsen burner should be connected but not lit. The collar
should be turned so that the hole is wide open.
- The spatula should be clean and resting on a spare piece of
filter paper by the side of container P, which has its lid on.
- A clean boiling tube should be put in the rack with the test
tube holder at the side.
- A clean funnel and flask should be placed separately on the
bench behind the rack.
- Used boiling tubes can be put in the container provided. Funnel
and flask should be rinsed, ready for the next student. One spare
of each is provided to allow time for this.
Safety:
- Caution the students while lighting the burner or candle and
while using the apparatus.
- The teacher can light the flames for the students if desired.
- Be careful.
- Teachers and students should always exercise appropriate safety
precautions and utilize appropriate laboratory safety procedures
and equipment when working on science performance tasks.
Extensions/modifications:
|