ACT Aspire Science What must students know and be able to do? Jot down your thoughts.

ACT Aspire Science

What must students know and be able to do?

Jot down your thoughts

ACT Aspire Science AgendaDecember 4, 20143:30 Merts

• Your Thoughts: What Must Students Know and Be Able to Do?

• Introduction

• Self assessment of ACT CCRS Science Process Skills

• Analysis of Sample test via ACT Aspire website

• Share Your Analysis of Sample test skill requirements

• Progress Ideas

• Identify two skills to work on and Scavenger Hunt

• Share

• Summarize

• Feedback

HCS ACT Aspire Scores-Spring 2014

Grade 3-10 ACT Aspire Test is directly linked to ACT College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS)

The ACT Science and ACT Aspire Science is probably the least understood portion of these type of assessments.

Despite what its name suggests, it is not a science knowledge test.

The ACT is not going to ask you to identify steps of cell division, balance a chemical equation, or determine the velocity of a moving object.

Advanced Knowledge in content areas is not usually required

• Background knowledge acquired in general science courses may be needed to answer some questions in upper grades.

• Tests do not, however, sample specific content knowledge with enough regularity to make inferences about a student’s attainment of science content.

• ACT Aspire stresses science practices over recall of scientific content, complex mathematical skills, and reading ability.

Science passages vary widely in subject matter

Biology; life sciences (earlier grades)

Chemistry and physics (physical science for earlier grades)

Earth/space science (astronomy, meteorology, geology)

These topics only provide a framework for the passage; specific knowledge of these subjects are usually not required. Any specialized terms (often printed in italics) will be defined for you in the introductory lines of the passage.

Format of the ACT Aspire

3 DOMAINS:

1. Interpretation of Data

2.Scientific Investigation

3.Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and Experimental Results

*Self Assess –

On ACT CCRS handout – check off any standards that your students do on a weekly basis

Computer Based Option

Analysis of Sample TestGo to tn.actaspire.orgUsername: science Password: actaspire

Start test – then Click “Review” (upper left)3rd -5th grade begin with question 256th -8th grade begin with question 1

As you answer each question, tally what skill is required

Discuss/Share Your Analysis of What Students Must Know and Be Able to Do

When finished, answer 3 Questions at bottom of the tally

Discuss with partner what surprised you about your analysis and how this will affect your instructional plans

http://padlet.com/pamela_vaughn/science

Modifying Lessons to meet CCRS

Think of one classroom activity that you’ve used successfully that either requires students to use one of the ACT Aspire skills or that helps students learn one of the identified skills. (Jot down notes about the activity)

Think about how you could modify that activity to improve it based on your ACT Aspire analysis

Share

Ideas for Progress

SCAVENGER HUNT: Identify 2 skills that you plan to work on

next week then locate/bookmark a resource that you will use….

6th - 8th grade:

Pearson: “Interdisciplinary Activity - Program Resources- Editable Wks”

http://www.commoncoresheets.com/BarGraphs.php (Charts/Graphs)

http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf

3rd -6th grade :

www.teach-nology.com - Worksheets –Math WKS – #30 “Reading Tables”

http://www.mathworksheetsland.comhttp://

sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf

http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf

Questions for the ACT Aspire Science Test will generally ask you to use the following skills:

Read, select, and interpret data from charts, tables, and graphs.

Compare or combine data from different charts, tables, graphs,

Extrapolate data (take info that is there and draw conclusions and make predictions about the results of additional tests or data)

Compare and contrast opposing viewpoints

Determine which Claim/viewpoint is valid based on data and text

Translate information from a chart/text into a graph

Use math

Write explanatory text to convey information citing textual evidence

Understand “good” experimental design

Poll Everywhere Take Aways

Was the learning today beneficial? What insights into teaching and learning did you gain today and how might you use this in your own work?

Send text to 37607

Type in 633002 then enter your response

Two Act Aspire Science Sample Test Resources

Computer Based Option

Paper Based Option

Additional Resources Used

• Avocet

• ACT College and Career Ready Standards Science of the 3 domains

• ACT College and Career Readiness Standards Ideas for Progress:

13-15 score range 16-19 range 20-23 range

* These score ranges should provide a foundation for 3rd – 8th grade…Google for additional score ranges