1. MAKING OBSERVATIONS AND ASKING QUESTIONS

By the end of Grade 6, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

By the end of Grade 8, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

S:SPS1:6:1.1 Make observations and record measurements using a variety of tools and instruments.

S:SPS1:6:1.2 Plan observations based on a given purpose.

S:SPS1:6:1.3 Identify and investigate similarities and differences among observations and sets of observations.

S:SPS1:6:1.4 Use appropriate units and precision of metric measurement when recording data.

S:SPS1:6:1.5 Use a classification key, such as a dichotomous key, to identify and distinguish among members of a group or set.

S:SPS1:6:1.6 Construct a simple classification key.

S:SPS1:6:1.7 Compare methods of classification for a specific purpose.

S:SPS1:6:1.8 Ask questions about relationships between and among observations.

S:SPS1:6:1.9 Determine which observations will be helpful to a given investigation.

S:SPS1:6:1.10 Distinguish between those questions that can be answered by science and those that cannot.

S:SPS1:8:1.1 Use appropriate tools to accurately collect and record both qualitative and quantitative data gathered through observations (e.g., temperature probes, electronic balances, spring scales, microscopes, stop watches).

S:SPS1:8:1.2 Determine the degree of accuracy that can be obtained using a given instrument.

S:SPS1:8:1.3 Investigate similarities and differences noted when making observations.

S:SPS1:8:1.4 Construct and use a dichotomous key to classify a given set of objects or organisms.

S:SPS1:8:1.5 Evaluate methods of classification for a specific purpose.

S:SPS1:8:1.6 Rephrase questions so that they can be tested or investigated using scientific methodologies.

S:SPS1:8:1.7 Ask questions about relationships between and among observable variables.

2. DESIGNING SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

By the end of Grade 6, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

By the end of Grade 8, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

S:SPS1:6:2.1 Design and record a simple step-by-step procedure to follow in order to carry out a fair test of a scientific question.

S:SPS1:6:2.2 Identify and utilize appropriate tools/technology for collecting data in designing investigations.

S:SPS1:6:2.3 Incorporate components of good experimental design, such as controls and multiple trials, into investigations.

S:SPS1:8:2.1 Identify the manipulated, responding and controlled variables in an experiment.

S:SPS1:8:2.2 Design a controlled experiment, identifying and controlling the major variables.

S:SPS1:8:2.3 Identify flaws or omissions in the design of simple experiments.

3. CONDUCTING SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS

By the end of Grade 6, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

By the end of Grade 8, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

S:SPS1:6:3.1 Carry out simple student or teacher-developed procedures or experiments.

S:SPS1:6:3.2 Use appropriate tools to collect and record data.

S:SPS1:6:3.3 Follow the teacher's instructions in performing experiments, following all appropriate safety rules and procedures.

S:SPS1:8:3.1 Use appropriate laboratory techniques to carry out student- or teacher-developed procedures or experiments.

S:SPS1:8:3.2 Use appropriate tools to gather data as part of an investigation (e.g., ruler, meter stick, thermometer, spring scale, graduated cylinder, calipers, balance, probes, microscopes).

S:SPS1:8:3.3 Follow the teacher's instructions in performing experiments, following all appropriate safety rules and procedures.

4. REPRESENTING AND UNDERSTANDING RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS

By the end of Grade 6, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

By the end of Grade 8, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

S:SPS1:6:4.1 Use appropriate tools to organize, represent, analyze and explain data.

S:SPS1:6:4.2 Make and record observations using a pre-determined format.

S:SPS1:6:4.3 Compare and display data in a variety of student or computer generated formats (such as diagrams, flow charts, tables, bar graphs, line graphs, scatter plots, and histograms).

S:SPS1:6:4.4 Identify patterns and relationships in data and formulate basic explanations.

S:SPS1:6:4.5 Draw appropriate conclusions based on data collected.

S:SPS1:8:4.1 Use appropriate tools (including computer hardware and software) to collect, organize, represent, analyze and explain data.

S:SPS1:8:4.2 Identify sources of error in experiments.

S:SPS1:8:4.3 Draw appropriate conclusions regarding the scientific question under investigation, based on the data collected.

5. EVALUATING SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATIONS

By the end of Grade 6, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

By the end of Grade 8, all students will apply skills from previous grades and…

S:SPS1:6:5.1 Determine if the results of an experiment support or fail to support the scientific idea tested.

S:SPS1:6:5.2 Explain how a hypothesis is a direct extension of a scientific idea and therefore makes that idea “testable.”

S:SPS1:8:5.1 Determine if the results of an experiment support or refute the scientific idea tested.

S:SPS1:8:5.2 Evaluate whether the information and data collected allows an evaluation of the scientific idea under investigation.

S:SPS1:8:5.3 Determine what additional information would be helpful in answering the scientific question.

NECAP ASSESSMENT TARGETS FOR INQUIRY

MAY BE SUBJECT OF PERFORMANCE COMPONENT