4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
CPI Links Content Guide & Five Items Resource
Introduction
The following information should be used as a companion to the CPI Links. It
provides clarifications concerning the content and skills contained in the CPI Links.
Remember that instruction should be much richer than assessment and that the
examples contained herein do not represent the variety of instructional strategies
and supports necessary for meaningful teaching and learning of academic content.
The information and examples are intended to clarify the intentions of the CPI Links
so that assessment activities aligned to the links––and thus to the state standards––
can be developed or chosen appropriately for students who participate in the NJ
APA.
For each standard, you will find that this resource includes




The Test Specifications followed by the corresponding CPIs and Links
A Glossary of terms contained in the CPI Links
Further Clarifications concerning specific content, skills, language, and/or
activity development considerations
Five Items examples that show what constitutes five items for certain links
where that may not be clear as well as the semantic intent of the link language.
How to Use This Resource
1) Review the “Steps to Developing an Entry” in Modules IV and V of the Fall
Training.
2) Remember to make your decisions regarding which CPI Link you will use to
assess your students based on the individual needs of your students. Just because a
particular link may be best for one student does not mean it is best for another,
especially given the diverse needs of the students who participate in the NJ APA.
3) Once you have selected a CPI Link, use the Glossary to look up the definitions of
any/all content vocabulary terms contained in the language of the link. This will
ensure your understanding of those terms is consistent with the understanding set
forth by the NJ DOE for the NJ APA.
4) Check the Further Clarifications section to see if there is additional information
about the CPI and/or CPI Link you have chosen that will be helpful as you choose or
design the activities you will use as the assessment evidence in your students’ APA
portfolios.
5) If the CPI Link has an asterisk at the end of the link statement, you will find an
example of that link in the Five Items section to use as a guide/reference/model
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
4th Grade Science – Test Specifications and Links for
Standard 5.9 – Astronomy and Space Science
(Portfolio Entry 4)
The following are the required CPIs and Links for Standard 5.9: Astronomy and
Space Science. Both CPIs are from Strand A: Earth, Moon and Sun System. You must
select a CPI Link from one of the CPIs to develop an entry for the APA portfolio.
STRAND A: Earth, Moon and Sun System
You MUST CHOOSE only one of the following CPIs:
CPI 5.9.4A1 Observe patterns that result from the Earth’s position relative to the sun and
rotation of the Earth on its axis
Essence of the CPI: Understand the reasons for day, night, and year
Matched Link
 Compare and contrast the
Earth’s revolution around the
sun and rotation on its axis
 Explain how the revolution
around the sun is measured in
years and the tilt on its axis
causes seasons*
 Predict how a change in speed
of the Earth’s rotation or
revolution would affect the
calendar
OR
Near Link
 Identify various
examples of
movement of the
Earth as either a
revolution or
rotation*
 Explain how the
rotation of Earth on
its axis causes day
and night
Far Link
 Identify the sun, moon,
Earth, revolution, and
rotation*
 Identify daytime and
nighttime based on the
Earth’s rotation in
relation to the sun*
CPI 5.9.4A2 Recognize and describe the phases of the moon
Essence of the CPI: Identify the basic pattern of the moon’s appearance and classify as new,
first quarter, full, or third quarter
Matched Link
Near Link
Far Link
 Identify new moon, first
 Identify new moon, first
 Identify sun, Earth, new
quarter moon, full moon, and
quarter moon, full moon,
moon, first quarter
last quarter moon and describe
and last quarter moon and
moon, full moon, and
the moon’s position relative to
arrange in order *
last quarter moon*
the Earth/sun for each phase*
 Predict new moon, first
 Record observed phases of the
quarter moon, full moon,
moon- new moon, first quarter
and last quarter moon
moon, full moon, and last
using Earth’s calendar*
quarter moon- and describe
noted patterns
Please note: Always consult the Glossary and Further Clarifications sections of this resource when
working with any of these Links. Additionally, an asterisk at the end of a Link statement denotes there is
an example for that specific Link in the Five Items section of this resource.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Glossary – 5.9
Glossary – 5.9
Compare - to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note
similarities and/or differences
Contrast - to compare in order to show differences; to note the opposite natures,
purposes, etc.
Phases of the moon:
 New moon: the moon’s unlit side faces Earth and the moon is not visible
 First quarter: the moon appears as a semicircle; the visible portion is getting
larger
 Full moon: the moon appears as a full circle
 Third quarter: the moon appears as a semicircle; the visible portion is getting
smaller
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Glossary – 5.9
Revolution - the orbit of Earth or another planet around the sun
Rotation - the spinning of Earth on its axis
Source: http://www.physicalgeography.net/fundamentals/6h.html
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Further Clarifications – 5.9
Further Clarifications – 5.9
Phases of the Moon
The phases of the moon that must be taught at 4th Grade are new moon, first
quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon. Note that for 2014-2015 the links
for 5.9.4A2 have been revised to specify those four phases. WARNING: Assessing
phases other than those four will result in zero scores. Waxing/waning
crescent/gibbous phases will no longer be accepted because they are more than
what is expected to be taught at 4th Grade and are more than any what is now
specified by any of the links for 5.9.4A2.
CPI
Link
Clarification
5.9.4A2
Matched Link Bullet 1
The descriptions must be about where
the moon is in relation to the Earth/sun
and not just merely the way the moon
appears in the night sky.
Identify new moon, first quarter
moon, full moon, and last quarter
moon and describe the moon’s
position relative to the Earth/sun
for each phase*
Near Link Bullet 1
Identify new moon, first quarter
moon, full moon, and last quarter
moon and arrange in order*
“Identifying” may involve multiple
choice, matching, cutting/pasting label,
etc. The student must also “arrange” the
phases in the correct order.
Also, credit may be given for identifying
each of the four phases correctly and
then for putting them in the correct
order for a total of five items.
Far Link Bullet 1
Identify sun, Earth, new moon,
first quarter moon, full moon, and
last quarter moon*
Notice that this link now specifies the
four phases of the moon that must be
taught and assessed: new moon, first
quarter moon, full moon, and last
quarter moon.
Since this link requires those specific
four phases of the moon be assessed in
addition to the sun and the Earth,
assessment activities for this link will
need six items instead of five.
Also, heed the warning at the top of this
page regarding the phases of the moon.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
Five Items Examples
The Five Items examples are samples of activities that may be used as
models when choosing or developing activities for the APA.
They include specific considerations and guidelines that if not followed
will likely result in unscorable codes.
However, they do not show the required markings for
performance (+/-) or independence (I, V, G, M, P),
nor do they include student names and collection dates.
They are sample activities, not sample evidence.
Evidence must include all of the requirements of the
Universal Scoring Rules.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A1: Observe patterns that result from the Earth’s position relative to the sun and rotation of
the Earth on its axis
Essence of the CPI: Understand the reasons for day, night, and year
Matched Link, Bullet 2: “Explain how the revolution around the sun is measured in
years and the tilt on its axis causes seasons*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 Be advised that the information below is an explanation of an example rather than an actual
example. Actual student work is always required.
 There are a variety of ways for students to “explain,” including but not limited to using word or
sentence strips to form explanations or completing the salient information in cloze sentences.
Explaining how Earth’s revolution around the sun is a year would constitute one item.
Explaining how the tilt of Earth’s axis causes seasons would constitute four items (one
item per season) for a total of five items.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A1: Observe patterns that result from the Earth’s position relative to the sun and rotation of
the Earth on its axis
Essence of the CPI: Understand the reasons for day, night, and year
Near Link, Bullet 1: “Identify various examples of movement of the Earth as either a
revolution or rotation*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 The diagrams on this example are for the student’s reference in answering the five questions.
 Using multiple diagrams for rotation and for revolution as the “examples of movement” to
assess this link is not acceptable because even if those diagrams are somewhat different, they
likely convey the same concept/idea. Therefore, this example was crafted to show one way to
assess this link using five distinctly different items.
Directions to the student: Use your labels to identify each example as either
revolution or rotation. Use the diagrams to help you.
This example
constitutes five
items.
Across the five
items, both
revolution and
rotation were
addressed.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A1: Observe patterns that result from the Earth’s position relative to the sun and rotation of
the Earth on its axis
Essence of the CPI: Understand the reasons for day, night, and year
Far Link, Bullet 1: “Identify the sun, moon, Earth, revolution, and rotation*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 This link may be assessed using one diagram (such as the one shown in the example below) or
by using individual pictures for sun, moon, Earth, revolution, and rotation.
Directions to the student: Use the labels provided to identify what is depicted in the
diagram below. Each letter must be identified with one label.
This example
constitutes five
items.
There are five
components in
this link that must
be identified: 1)
sun; 2) moon; 3)
Earth; 4)
revolution; 5)
rotation.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A1: Observe patterns that result from the Earth’s position relative to the sun and rotation of
the Earth on its axis
Essence of the CPI: Understand the reasons for day, night, and year
Far Link, Bullet 2: “Identify daytime and nighttime based on the Earth’s rotation in
relation to the sun*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 When assessing this link, the Earth’s rotation in relation to the sun is critically important.
 The example below uses a series of diagrams. Notice how each diagram indicates where the sun
is, how the Earth is rotating, and a specific location for the student to identify as experiencing
daytime or nighttime.
Directions to the student: Label the diagrams “daytime” or “nighttime” based on each
diagram’s marked location, which shows Earth’s rotationi n relation to the sunlight.
This example
constitutes five
items.
Across the five
items, both
daytime and
nighttime are
addressed.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A2: Recognize and describe the phases of the moon
Essence of the CPI: Identify the basic pattern of the moon’s appearance and classify as new, first
quarter, full, or last quarter
Matched Link, Bullet 1: “Identify new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last
quarter moon and describe the moon’s position relative to the Earth/sun for each
phase*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 The phases of the moon that must be taught at 4th Grade are new moon, first quarter moon, full
moon, and last quarter moon. Notice how this link specifies those four phases. WARNING:
Assessing phases other than those four will result in zero scores. Waxing/waning
crescent/gibbous phases will no longer be accepted because they are more than what is
expected to be taught at 4th Grade and are more than any what is specified by this link.
 The descriptions must be about where the moon is in relation to the Earth/sun and not just
merely the way the moon appears in the night sky.
Directions to the student:
1. Label each phase of the moon.
2. For each phase, use your word strips to describe the moon’s position in
relation to the Earth and sun.
This example constitutes eight items.
For each phase of the moon identified, there must be an accompanying description of the
moon’s position in relation to the Earth and sun, but identifying each of the four phases
may count as four items and then the four descriptions may count as four items, for a total
of eight items.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A2: Recognize and describe the phases of the moon
Essence of the CPI: Identify the basic pattern of the moon’s appearance and classify as new, first
quarter, full, or last quarter
Near Link, Bullet 1: “Identify new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last
quarter moon and arrange in order*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 The phases of the moon that must be taught at 4th Grade are new moon, first quarter moon, full
moon, and last quarter moon. Notice how this link specifies those four phases. WARNING:
Assessing phases other than those four will result in zero scores. Waxing/waning
crescent/gibbous phases will no longer be accepted because they are more than what is
expected to be taught at 4th Grade and are more than any what is specified by this link.
 This link has two parts: 1) identifying each of the four required phases and 2) arranging them
in order. Evidence for this link must show that the phases have been both identified and
arranged in order.
 It is not acceptable for the order to be already provided.
 The sun’s location determines the moon phases as seen from Earth. Note that the diagram on
page 3 shows the sunlight coming from a different direction than you see on this page, hence
the difference in the moon phase positions. This is important to keep in mind when teaching
this concept.
Directions to the student: First, drag each picture of the phases of the moon onto the diagram
to show their order. Then using the labels paste the name of each phase on its corresponding
picture.
This example constitutes five items.
First, the student had to drag the moon images to their correct positions on
the diagram (arrange in order) for one item. Then the student had to label
each phase with its name for four additional items and a total of five items.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A2: Recognize and describe the phases of the moon
Essence of the CPI: Identify the basic pattern of the moon’s appearance and classify as new, first
quarter, full, or last quarter
Near Link, Bullet 2: “Predict new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last
quarter moon using Earth’s calendar*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 The phases of the moon that must be taught at 4th Grade are new moon, first quarter moon, full
moon, and last quarter moon. Notice how this link specifies those four phases. WARNING:
Assessing phases other than those four will result in zero scores. Waxing/waning
crescent/gibbous phases will no longer be accepted because they are more than what is
expected to be taught at 4th Grade and are more than any what is specified by this link.
Directions to the student: Use your science journal and the July calendar to answer
questions about how the moon would appear on different nights of the month.
This example
constitutes five
items.
All five questions
are specific to
predicting the four
required phases of
the moon using a
calendar.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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4th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.4A2: Recognize and describe the phases of the moon
Essence of the CPI: Identify the basic pattern of the moon’s appearance and classify as new, first
quarter, full, or last quarter
Far Link (This is the only Far Link for this CPI): “Identify sun, Earth, new moon,
first quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 The phases of the moon that must be taught at 4th Grade are new moon, first quarter moon, full
moon, and last quarter moon. Notice how this link specifies those four phases. WARNING:
Assessing phases other than those four will result in zero scores. Waxing/waning
crescent/gibbous phases will no longer be accepted because they are more than what is
expected to be taught at 4th Grade and are more than any what is specified by this link.
 In the example below, the student was presented with pictures of the sun, the Earth, and the
four specified phases of the moon. The student was then given labels and directed to paste
them onto the pictures.
 This link has SIX components: the four phases (new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and
last quarter moon), the sun, and Earth. Therefore, this link requires six items rather than five.
Directions to the student: Label the pictures.
This example
constitutes six
items.
The student
identified four
phases of the moon
(new moon, first
quarter moon, full
moon, and last
quarter moon), the
sun, and Earth.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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