Grades 5-8 Performance Task
Contributed by: Council Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)
Description:
Students study chemical elements as substances with properties
that distinguish them from other elements. Students are instructed
to determine some properties of several elements they are given.
They study each element's magnetic properties (how the element responds
to a magnetic field) and density (amount of mass in a given volume).
Students group the elements according to their relative magnetic
properties and densities and explain the basis of their classification
system.
This task is designed to take students approximately 40-50 minutes
to completely.
Overall Task Content Area:
- Physical Science
Specific Knowledge Areas:
- Matter and its transformation
Performance Expectations:
- conducting investigations
- using equipment
- gathering, organizing, and representing data
- formulating conclusions from investigational data
- applying scientific principles to develop explanations and solve
new problems
National Science Education Standards:
8 A SI 1: Abilities of scientific inquiry: Grades
5-8
1.4 Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions,
and models using evidence. Students should base their explanation
on what they observed, and as they develop cognitive skills, they
should be able to differentiate explanation from description — providing
causes for effects and establishing relationships based on evidence
and logical argument. This standards requires a subject knowledge
base so the students can effectively conduct investigations, because
developing explanations establishes connections between the content
of science and the contexts within which students develop new knowledge.
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
in 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.
4 B PS 3: Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism: Grades
K-4
.3.4 Magnets attract and repel each other and certain kinds
of other materials.
(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.
Algebra (AL3): Use mathematical models to represent and
understand quantitative relationships.
Measurement (MEAS1): Understand measurable attributes
of objects and the units, systems, and processes of measurement.
Number and Operations (NO2): Understand meanings of operations
and how they relate to one another.
Data Analysis and Probability (DAP3): Develop and evaluate
inferences and predictions that are based on data.
Communication (COM4): Use the language of mathematics
to express mathematical ideas precisely.
Connections (CNX1): Recognize and use connections among
mathematical ideas.
Representation (REP1): Create and use represenations
to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas.
General Teacher Instructions:
This task is designed to take students approximately 40-50 minutes
to complete.
Students will be working in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity
part of this exercise. Each student must record the information
in his or her own booklet (test papers). Allow from 20 minutes to
complete the group work. If students are still working together
20 minutes after the testing begins, instruct them to cease their
group work and begin individual work. At this point, they may no
longer talk. Whether or not they are just beginning their individual
work, remind students that they now have about 25 minutes to complete
the individual activity.
Students should be ready to work as soon as the period begins.
Group assignments should be made in advance. 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 "Classifying Materials":
At this station students should have:
- Aluminum rod
- Iron rod
- Lead rod
- Copper rod
- Nickel rod
- 10 ml graduated cylinder
- alnicomagnet
- safety gloves
- triple beam balance
- water
- paper towels
- 50 ml beaker or cup
Advance Preparation:
Group assignments, if used, should be made in advance.
Special Teacher Instructions:
Students should wear aprons and safety glasses while they are
performing any of these experiments.
Students should test the magnetic property of each element by
placing the element at one end of the magnet and observing the attraction,
if any. Elements that are attracted to the magnet will be pulled
toward it and stick to it. Materials that are attracted to magnets
and that are themselves magnetic are ferromagnetic. Materials
that are attracted to magnets but that are not themselves magnets
are paramagnetic. In other words, two ferromagnetic materials
will attract each other, but two paramagnetic materials will not.
The attraction between a given magnet and a paramagnetic material
is likely to be a lot weaker than the attraction between the same
magnet and a ferromagnetic material.
Expected results using the specified materials:
Is the material attracted to a magnet?
Aluminum |
No |
Iron |
yes |
Lead |
no |
Copper |
no |
Nickel |
yes |
The density of a material is calculated by dividing the mass in
grams by the volume in cubic centimeters.
Density of materials (g/cm3)
Aluminum |
2.7 |
Iron |
7.9 |
Lead |
11.3 |
Copper |
8.9 |
Nickel |
8.9 |
Safety:
- 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.
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