Grade 5-8 Performance Task
Contributed by: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
NYS Alternative Assessment in Science Project (1996)
Credit/Source: Rock Recipe: Ted Anderson; Pembroke High School
Earth Science Supplement (1970) - Rock Abrasion
Task:
In nature, rocks are changed by abrasion due to
movements by streams, glaciers, and wind. In this task, you will
be using a model to study some of the effects of this abrasion.
You will be observing and recording some of these effects and
making generalizations and predictions.
Materials:
- 10 rocks
- plastic jar
- water
- test card [laminated or plastic covered]
- paper towels
- metric ruler
- plastic spoon
Directions:
- Place one rock on the test card in the 0 shakes circle.
- Put the 9 remaining rocks in the jar.
- Fill the jar about half-full with water and close the lid tightly.
- Shake the jar VIGOROUSLY 50 times. Remove one rock, dry
it, and place it on the test card in the 50 shakes circle.
- Shake the jar VIGOROUSLY another 50 times. Remove one
rock, dry it, and place it on the test card in the 100 shakes
circle.
- Repeat step 5, shaking VIGOROUSLY, removing a rock after
150, 200, 250, and 300 shakes.
- Look carefully at all of your rock samples on the test card.
- Using the graph below, draw a line representing the relationship
between the number of shakes and the "amount of rounding"
of the rocks. Be sure to carefully label both axes.
9. Using complete sentences, write a statement that describes
what happened to a single rock as it went from 0 to 300 shakes.
10. In the space below, draw a sketch of the size and shape of
the rock after 300 shakes. Predict and sketch what the size and
shape of the rock would be after 600 shakes.
11.
a. In the space below, use one or more complete sentences to
describe what you think a rock will look and feel like
after 600 shakes.
b. Using complete sentences, support your prediction with observations
from this activity.
12. All of the rocks you have been shaking have changed in some
way. Describe at least two ways the rocks and pieces at the bottom
of the jar have not changed.
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