Science Assessment Map – Sample at Level 3
Samples are available for the following tasks:
Earth report
Context
Students were asked to investigate and produce a report on the implications of the Earth’s rotation by viewing a site on the other side of the world through an Internet camera. Students were given two 45-minute sessions to complete the task. They worked in groups to collect information from the Internet but completed the report individually. This task required that students were aware of the Earth’s rotation on its axis and that students knew how to access relevant Internet sites.
The element of the Science knowledge and understanding standard addressed by the task is:
(Students) describe the relationship between day and night and the rotation of the Earth.
Stimulus
Earth report
You and your group are to demonstrate how parts of the Earth can be in daylight when other parts are in darkness.
In your demonstration you will need to:
- explain the rotation of the Earth around its axis;
- demonstrate the reason for day and night;
- demonstrate the reason for differences in day and night on different parts of the Earth; and
- show why the stars appear to move across the sky during the night.
After you have seen all of the groups’ demonstrations, do your own ‘Earth Report’ to explain the four points above. Use diagrams with labels in your report.
The following sample illustrates the kinds of responses that students produce when they have achieved the elements of the standard addressed by this task.
View text version
Annotation
Science knowledge and understanding – Level 3
- Explains how the rotation of Earth on its axis results in the side facing the sun experiencing day and the side facing away experiencing night.
- Explains the differences in length of day/night at different places on Earth and the apparent movement of the stars as Earth rotates.
- Includes a detailed diagram which demonstrates understanding of the rotation of Earth and the relationship between day/night.
Element of the standard
(Students) describe the relationship between day and night and the rotation of the Earth.
Back to Top
