8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 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
Five Items examples that show what constitutes five items for certain links where that
may not be clear
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) 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. Be sure to pay
attention to the “Important Considerations for This Link” section of the examples.
2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 1 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 8th Grade Science -­‐ Test Specifications and Links for Standard 5.9 – Astronomy and Space Science (Portfolio Entry 4)
The following is the CPI required for Standard 5.9: Astronomy and Space Science. This CPI is from Strand B: Solar System. You must select a CPI Link from this CPI to develop an entry for the APA portfolio. STRAND B: Solar System You MUST CHOOSE the following CPI: CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar system (including planets) Matched Link Near Link ♦ Compare and contrast the
physical aspects of Earth
to planets and/or other
objects in our solar
system*
♦ Identify similarities and
differences between
objects in our solar
system*
♦ Classify planets and other
objects in our solar system
as terrestrial (rocky) or
gaseous*
Far Link ♦ Identify various objects
in our solar system––
must include other
objects in addition to
planets*
♦ Identify physical
characteristics of
planets*
Please note: Always consult the Glossary section 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. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 2 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Glossary Glossary -­‐ 5.9 Compare – to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities Contrast – to compare in order to show differences; to note the opposite natures, purposes, etc. Dwarf Planet – lack the gravitational force to clear objects from their orbital paths (e.g., Pluto, Ceres, Eris); dwarf planets are considered “other objects” for APA purposes Other Objects – natural things in our solar system other than planets (e.g., our sun, moon, comets, asteroids, meteoroids, dwarf planets, the Oort cloud, and the Kuiper Belt) Note: Man-­‐made objects in space (e.g., the International Space Station, other satellites, and spacecraft) are NOT ACCEPTABLE as other objects. Gaseous Planets – planets that are not primarily composed of rock or other solid matter; the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, are composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Uranus and Neptune are sometimes called ice giants, as they are mostly composed of water, ammonia, and methane ices. (An example of an “other object” that is gaseous is our sun.) Terrestrial Planets – planets that are primarily composed of silicate rocks and/or metals; The terrestrial planets are the inner planets closest to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. (Examples of “other objects” that are rocky include our moon and asteroids.) 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 3 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Five Items Examples 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 could 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, which are explained in the training modules and the Procedures Manual. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 4 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Five Items Examples CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar system (including planets) Matched Link, Bullet 1: “Compare and contrast the physical aspects of Earth to planets and/or other objects in our solar system*” Important Considerations for this Link: • For this link, Earth must be compared to planets and/or other objects in our solar system. So,
as shown in the example below, it is acceptable to compare and contrast the physical aspects of
Earth to other planets (e.g., items 1, 2, and 4) in addition to “other objects” (e.g., items 3 and 5).
It would also be acceptable to compare Earth to other planets only or to other objects only.
• Since this link states “compare and contrast,” both similarities and differences must be
addressed across the five items.
• The phrase “other objects within our solar system” refers to the natural things that are in our
solar system that are not planets. At least one other object must be included across the five
items.
o Acceptable “other objects” include asteroids, the Asteroid Belt, comets, meteoroids,
dwarf planets (e.g., Pluto, Ceres, Eris), our sun, the Oort Cloud, and the Kuiper Belt.
o UNACCEPTABLE as “other objects”: manmade objects (e.g., space craft, manmade
satellites, the International Space Station, etc.), stars other than our sun, galaxies, black
holes, nebulas, “atmosphere,” and anything else that is either not an object or that is
outside of our solar system.
Directions to the student: Circle the correct answer. This example constitutes five items. Each question pertains to a similarity or a difference between Earth and another planet or object in our solar system. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 5 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Five Items Examples CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar system (including planets) Matched Link, Bullet 2: “Identify similarities and differences between objects in our solar system*” Important Considerations for this Link: • Both planets and other objects must be included. The phrase “other objects within our solar system”
refers to the natural things that are in our solar system that are not planets. At least one “other object”
must be included across the five items.
o
Acceptable “other objects” include asteroids, the Asteroid Belt, comets, meteoroids, dwarf
planets (e.g., Pluto, Ceres, Eris), our sun, the Oort Cloud, and the Kuiper Belt.
UNACCEPTABLE as “other objects”: manmade objects (e.g., space craft, manmade satellites, the
International Space Station, etc.), stars other than our sun, galaxies, black holes, nebulas,
“atmosphere,” and anything else that is either not an object or that is outside of our solar
system.
Across the five items, both similarities and differences must be addressed.
In the example below, a chart was included for the student to use as a reference since it is not
reasonable to expect any student to have memorized this information. While this chart only includes
information regarding distance from the sun at closest point in orbit, diameter, and revolution/orbit
duration, other acceptable characteristics include number of moons, number of rings, or comets, etc.
o
•
•
Directions to the student: Use the chart below to help you answer the questions. Circle the correct answer to each question. This example constitutes five items. Across the five items, the student identified similarities and differences between objects in our solar system. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 6 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Five Items Examples CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar system (including planets) Near Link, Bullet 1: “Classify planets and other objects in our solar system as terrestrial (rocky) or gaseous*” Important Considerations for this Link: • Across the five items, at least one “other object” must be addressed. The phrase “other objects within
our solar system” refers to the natural things that are in our solar system that are not planets.
o
Acceptable “other objects” include asteroids, the Asteroid Belt, comets, meteoroids, dwarf
planets (e.g., Pluto, Ceres, Eris), our sun, the Oort Cloud, and the Kuiper Belt.
UNACCEPTABLE as “other objects”: manmade objects (e.g., space craft, manmade satellites, the
International Space Station, etc.), stars other than our sun, galaxies, black holes, nebulas, and
“atmosphere,” and anything else that is either not an object or that is outside of our solar
system.
The terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
The gaseous planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
A gaseous “other object” is our sun. Examples of terrestrial “other objects” include asteroids and Earth’s
moon.
o
•
•
•
Directions to student: Write the planet and other object into the correct column, “Terrestrial (rocky)” or “Gaseous.” This example constitutes ten items. Each planet/object classified is an item. In this example, the student classified five planets/objects as terrestrial and five planets/objects as gaseous. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 7 REVISED 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Five Items Examples CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar system (including planets) Far Link, Bullet 1: “Identify various objects in our solar system–must include other objects in addition to planets*” Important Considerations for this Link: • Across the five items, both planets and other objects must be included. The phrase “other objects” refers
to the natural things that are in our solar system that are not planets.
o
Acceptable “other objects” include asteroids, the Asteroid Belt, comets, meteoroids, dwarf
planets (e.g., Pluto, Ceres, Eris), our sun, the Oort Cloud, and the Kuiper Belt.
UNACCEPTABLE as “other objects”: manmade objects (e.g., space craft, manmade satellites, the
International Space Station, etc.), stars other than our sun, galaxies, black holes, nebulas, and
“atmosphere,” and anything else that is either not an object or that is outside of our solar
system.
Be advised that this link is NOT asking for the student to simply identify the word names of five objects
in our solar system versus five words/things that are not in our solar system. This link intends for the
student to actually identify the objects by picture and name.
o
•
This example constitutes five items. The student identified three planets (Saturn, Mars, and Jupiter) as well as two “other objects” (the sun and an asteroid) for a total of five items. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 8 8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9 Five Items Examples CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar system (including planets) Far Link, Bullet 2: “Identify physical characteristics of planets*” Important Considerations for this Link: • Two or more planets must be assessed because the link specifies “planets” (plural).
• Acceptable physical characteristics may include
o Order from the Sun
o Type of atmosphere
o Amount of water
o Degree of axis tilt
o Rotation speed
o Surface temperature
o Orbital path
o Other distinguishing physical
characteristics
o Number of moons
o Size
o Speed of revolution around the sun
(length of year), etc.
o Composition (i.e., rocky/gaseous)
• Dwarf planets (such as Pluto, Ceres, Eris) may NOT be used for this link. Although the term
“dwarf planet” contains the word “planet,” dwarf planets and planets are two distinctly different
classifications of objects. Dwarf planets are considered “other objects” for APA purposes.
• As was done in the example below, it is acceptable to allow the student to use a book or other
reference materials since it is not reasonable to expect any student to memorize all the
information.
Directions to the student: Using your book and the labels given to you, complete the chart to identify the diameter, orbit, and atmosphere of Earth, Jupiter and Mars. This example constitutes nine items. Each characteristic identified is an item. In this example, the student identified the diameter, orbit, and atmosphere for Earth (three items), for Jupiter (three items) and for Mars (three items) for a total of nine items. 2015-­‐2016 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource Page 9