Alaska Science Performance Standard L1/A7

Alaska Science
Key Element A7

A student who meets the content standard should understand how the Earth changes because of plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, erosion and deposition, and living things (Processes that Shape the Earth).

Performance Standard Level 1, Ages 5–7

Students observe and describe earth materials such as clay, silt, sand, rocks, and pebbles that exist in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and hardness.

Sample Assessment Ideas

Students dig a hole; observe and describe the different earth materials they discover.
Students test soft and hard materials by hitting them against each other. (Proper SAFETY precautions should be used.)

Expanded Sample Assessment Idea

Expanded Sample Assessment Idea

Students classify a collection of rocks based on a variety of criteria.

Procedure Students will: Each collect at least five different local rocks and bring their collection to class. Make a list of characteristics most commonly used to describe the rocks. Sort the five rocks in their collections according to one characteristic (for example, color, size, shape, hardness, or other student-selected category); describe the groups formed by this sort, record results in journal. Sort the five rocks in their collections according to a new characteristic; describe the groups formed by this sort; record results in their journals. In groups of three, sort and describe the combined rock collection in at least three different ways; describe the groups of rocks they made each time they used a new characteristic to sort them; record results in journal. Reflection and Revision What characteristic was easiest to use to categorize the rocks? Why?	Levels of Performance
	Stage 4	Student work is complete, and shows evidence of logical reasoning. Student work shows detailed evidence of ability to sort and describe earth materials using multiple characteristics. The student sorts and describes rocks using three different characteristics. Each sort cycle includes a description of the rock groupings made using that particular characteristic. Student work describes in detail the sorting and information analysis processes used to sort and group earth materials.
	Stage 3	Student work, while generally correct, may contain minor errors and omissions. Student work shows evidence of ability to sort and describe earth materials using several characteristics. The student sorts and describes rocks using at least two different characteristics. Most sort cycles include a description of the rock groupings made using that particular characteristic. Student work describes the sorting process and analyzes the information collected during the sorting process
	Stage 2	Student work contains errors and omissions. Student work shows limited evidence of ability to sort and describe Earth materials. Student may not describe the sorting process or analyze information about the rocks.
	Stage 1	Student work is largely incomplete or incorrect and shows little or no evidence of ability to sort or describe earth materials.

Standards Cross-References
( Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Standards)

National Science Education Standards

Earth materials are solid rocks and soils, water, and the gases of the atmosphere. The varied materials have different physical and chemical properties, which make them useful in different ways, for example, as building materials, as sources of fuel, or for growing the plants we use as food. Earth materials provide all of the resources that humans use. (Page 134)

Soils have properties of color and texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many kinds of plants, including those in our food supply. (Page 134)

The surface of the earth changes. Some changes are due to slow processes, such as erosion and weathering, and some changes are due to rapid processes, such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. (Page 134)

Benchmarks

Chunks of rocks come in many sizes and shapes, from boulders to grains of sand and even smaller. (Page 72)

Change is something that happens to many things. (Page 72)

Animals and plants sometimes cause changes in their surroundings. (Page 72)

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