Purpose
The purpose of this assessment plan
is to determine student knowledge and understanding of animal habitats. Through investigation, experimentation, and engagement
techniques students will develop critical thinking skills and gain
understanding for animals and their environment. This assessment plan will be
used to measure data and record information that will determine areas that are in
need of improvement.
Learning Outcome
The student will investigate and
gain an understanding that animals have specific needs based on certain
characteristics of their environment.
Assessment Context
Investigation: The students will be informed that they are
going on a nature walk to investigate animals and their habitats. Students will be given journals to write and
draw the things they observe along the walk.
Students will be reminded that scientists make observations to assist
them with their experiments. The goal is
to write and draw pictures of all things and the characteristics of the
environment. Students will be asked “What animals do you see?”, “What is the
weather like?”, and “How are the animals interacting with their surroundings?”
Engagement: Students will be shown
images of different types of animals and their specific characteristics. They will be asked “Which characteristics are
most important?”, and “What environment do you think each animal would adapt to
most?” Students will be given a worksheet and asked to circle the defining
characteristics for each animal.
Students will then write in what habitat they think will be best suited
for that animal.
Experimentation: Review with
students what the basic needs are for animals to survive in the
environment. Show students pictures of
different types of environments such as the rainforest, tundra, desert, and the
ocean. Ask students questions about what
types of animals would live in these places.
Assign an at home project for students to create a diorama displaying
their choice of environment with animals that may live there. Students will display and explain their
projects to the class.
Holistic Rubric
Investigation Assessment
General
Information
0 – Did not participate
1 – Provides no information about
the place, date, or weather conditions
2 – Provides some information about
the place, date, or weather conditions
3 – Provides basic information
about the place, date, or weather conditions
4 – Provides detailed and thorough information
about the place, date, and weather conditions
Written
Observation
0 – Did not participate
1 – Descriptions does not include relevant
details and/or explanations
2 – Describes observations with few
relevant details and/or explanations
3 – Describes observations with
relevant details and/or explanations
4 – Describes observations with
rich and relevant details and/or explanations
Drawings
0 – Did not participate
1 – Included drawings that were
incomplete
2 – Included drawings that were not
labeled or accurate
3 – Included drawings that showed
some observation of detail and labeled
4 – Included drawings that showed
realistic observations that are labeled
Testing Constraints
- Distractions from other students.
- Parental permission for students to leave school property.
- Weather implications.
