Performance Assessment – Magnetism & Electricity

Light the Lights - 4th grade

Materials:

2 D cell batteries and holders

Wires – stripped ends

4 light bulbs and holders

Strategy: Students will work in stations in a pair. In the first station students will construct a series circuit. In the next station, they will construct a parallel circuit. This performance assessment is the second part of an overall assessment on electricity. Part 1 is a multiple-choice test.

Illinois Learning Objectives:

11.B. Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of technological design.

11.B.2c Build a prototype of the design using available tools and materials

11.B2d Test the prototype using suitable instruments, techniques, and quantitative measurements to record data.

12.C2a Describe and compare types of energy including electrical energy.

Procedure: Directions will be posted on chart paper in the experiment area. I will also give students directions orally. Students will be told that they will work in pairs (of my choosing) to create the 2 types of circuits we learned about in class. I will be grading them while they do this. While 2 pairs are working in the stations, other students will be completing their study guides independently.

Grading: The rubric below will be used to assess students on their performance. A series circuit is a circuit that opens when one of it’s elements is removed. A parallel circuit is actually 2 or more circuits that open separately.

 

Assessment

Points

Series Circuit
  • 3 Connections are appropriate for a series circuit
  • 2 Some connections are appropriate, some are unclear.
  • 1 Most connections are inaccurate or student was unable to complete the task.

Parallel Circuit
  • 3 Connections are appropriate for a parallel circuit
  • 2 Some connections are appropriate, some are unclear.
  • 1 Most connections are inaccurate or student was unable to complete the task.