Alaska Science Performance Standard L1/A2

Alaska Science
Key Element A2

A student who meets the content standard should understand the physical, chemical, and nuclear changes and interactions that result in observable changes in the properties of matter (Changes and Interactions of Matter).

Performance Standard Level 1, Ages 5–7

Students observe physical properties of substances and observe that a substance maintains many of the same properties whether it is big or small.

Sample Assessment Ideas

Students use a magnifying glass to observe an object (piece of paper, wood); cut the object into smaller pieces; observe the smaller pieces under a magnifying glass; recognize and describe similarities.
Students observe and recognize the similarities in iron as it exists in different places, (e.g. a nail, a guardrail, a hammer head); using hardness, reaction to a magnet, rusting over time or density tests

Expanded Sample Assessment Idea

Expanded Sample Assessment Idea

Students observe different shapes and sizes of candle wax; determine properties of candle wax.

Procedure Students will: Observe a variety of properties of the unlit candle e.g. color, feel (hardness), does it float or sink in water? (density); describe and draw observations in journal. Observe an adult light the candle; drip the wax into different shape molds (these can be made earlier as an art activity); remove wax from molds when wax cools and hardens. Observe the new wax pieces using the same tests as above; record observation in journal. Reflection and Revision Think, discuss and report—what changes did the candle go through? Were the properties of the new small wax molds different from each other or from the original candle? What does this tell about the liquid and solid wax?	Levels of Performance
	Stage 4	Student work is complete, correct, and shows detailed evidence of knowledge related to physical properties of common substances. Multiple journal entries accurately record all before and after melting observations of the candle wax (color, hardness, and density). Explanations of physical changes and physical properties are correct and show no evidence of misconceptions.
	Stage 3	Student work shows evidence of knowledge related to physical properties of common substances. Multiple journal entries record most before and after melting observations of the candle wax (color, hardness, and density). Explanations of physical changes and physical properties may contain minor errors or omissions but show no evidence of misconceptions.
	Stage 2	Student work is incomplete and shows limited evidence of knowledge related to physical properties of common substances. Journal entries may be limited in number or show evidence of misconceptions related to the changes in the properties of candle wax after melting.
	Stage 1	Student work is mostly incomplete, or shows evidence of multiple misconceptions related to the physical properties, and physical changes of common substances.

Standards Cross-References
( Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Standards)

National Science Education Standards

Materials can exist in different states—solid, liquid, and gas. Some common materials, such as water, can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling. (Page 127)

Benchmarks

Things can be done to materials to change some of their properties, but not all materials respond the same way to what is done to them. (Page 76)

Table of Contents | Return to Alaska Native Knowledge Network