Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five Item Specifi cations Dr. Joseph B. Morton State Superintendent of Education Alabama State Department of Education Montgomery, Alabama December 2007 Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five No person shall be denied employment, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefi ts of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity on the basis of disability, sex, race, religion, national origin, color, or age. Ref: Sec. 1983, Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C.; Title VI and VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Sec. 504; Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Equal Pay Act of 1963; Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972: Title IX Coordinator, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2101 or call (334) 242-8444. Published by Data Recognition Corporation Copyright © 2007 by the Alabama State Department of Education. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Alabama State Department of Education, except for the printing of complete pages, with the copyright notice, for instructional use and not for resale. Produced in the United States of America. Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five ii ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION Governor Bob Riley – President Randy McKinney – District 1 Betty Peters – District 2 Stephanie W. Bell – District 3 Dr. Ethel H. Hall – District 4 Ella B. Bell – District 5 David F. Byers, Jr. – District 6 Sandra Ray – District 7 Dr. Mary Jane Caylor – District 8 ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Dr. Joseph B. Morton State Superintendent of Education Dr. Ruth C. Ash Deputy State Superintendent of Education Feagin Johnson, Jr. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Student Assessment Dr. Gloria Turner, Director Miriam Byers, Education Administrator Cathy Poage, Education Administrator Renée Callen, Education Specialist Dorothy DeMars, Education Specialist Kanetra Germany, Education Specialist Margaret Moore, Education Specialist Rhonda Patton, Education Specialist Nannette Pence, Education Specialist Judy Pugh, Education Specialist Mark Ward, Education Specialist Shanthia Washington, Education Specialist Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five iii TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 CONTENT STANDARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 CONTENT STANDARD 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 CONTENT STANDARD 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 CONTENT STANDARD 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 CONTENT STANDARD 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 CONTENT STANDARD 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 CONTENT STANDARD 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 CONTENT STANDARD 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 CONTENT STANDARD 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 CONTENT STANDARD 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 CONTENT STANDARD 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 CONTENT STANDARD 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five iv INTRODUCTION This bulletin provides specifi c information about the Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five. Educators representing each state school board district, as well as both city and county school systems, served on the committees that determined the eligible content for the Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five and reviewed, revised, and approved the actual items. The content standards for the Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five are found in the Alabama Course of Study: Science, Bulletin 2005, No. 20, pages 39–42. The content standards for the Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five are specifi cally referenced in this document. Teachers must be familiar with this document if they teach content that relates to the standards measured on Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five. Furthermore, teachers must use this document in focusing instruction on content standards. An item specifi cation has a distinct purpose and provides essential information concerning the testing of a content standard. Item specifi cations will follow this order: CONTENT STANDARD Broad area of content to be assessed ITEM TYPE All multiple-choice ELIGIBLE CONTENT Clarifi cation and elaboration of a content standard (where applicable) SAMPLE ITEMS Item formats to test each content standard The sample items in this bulletin will not be found on the Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five. The number of sample items in this bulletin does not necessarily refl ect the weight of the content on the test. The correct answer for each item is indicated by an asterisk (*). In order to identify the weight of the content, the chart on page 2 shows the number of items for each Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five content standard. Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five 1 CONTENT STANDARDS GRADE 5 POINTS CONTENT STANDARDS POSSIBLE Physical Science 36 1. Identify evidence of chemical changes through color, gas formation, solid 6 formation, and temperature change. 2. Defi ne mass, volume, and density. 6 3. Use everyday indicators to identify common acids and bases. 6 4. Describe forms of energy, including chemical, heat, light, and mechanical. 6 5. Contrast ways in which light rays are bent by concave and convex lenses. 6 6. Compare effects of gravitational force on Earth, on the Moon, and within 6 space. Life Science 18 7. Identify common parts of plant and animal cells, including the nucleus, 6 cytoplasm, and cell membrane. 8. Identify major body systems and their functions, including the circulatory 6 system, respiratory system, excretory system, and reproductive system. 9. Describe the relationship of populations within a habitat to various 6 communities and ecosystems. Earth and Space Science 12 10. Identify spheres of Earth, including the geosphere, atmosphere, and 6 hydrosphere. 11. Compare distances from the Sun to planets in our solar system. 6 TOTAL POINTS 66 POSSIBLE Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five 2 PHYSICAL SCIENCE Content Standard 1 Identify evidence of chemical changes through color, gas formation, solid formation, and temperature change. Item Type Multiple-choice Eligible Content • Identify examples of chemical change as evidenced by color change including the changes in appearance to the Statue of Liberty and the Statue of Vulcan, the formation of rust on the USS Alabama, the production of light when a glow stick is used, changes when baking a cake, changes when cleaning a penny with vinegar and salt, and changes to ripening fruits and vegetables like green tomatoes. • Identify examples of chemical change as evidenced by temperature change that occurs when mixing baking soda and vinegar, mixing concrete, and composting materials. • Identify examples of chemical change as evidenced by the formation of a gas that occurs when mixing baking soda and vinegar, burning wood, baking a cake, and placing effervescent tablets in water. • Identify examples of chemical change as evidenced by the formation of a solid that occurs when a nail rusts and the formation of rust on the USS Alabama. Note: Distinguish differences between chemical and physical changes. Sample Multiple-Choice Items 1. A student places a pan containing 2. A teacher mixes two liquids which are liquid cake batter into a hot oven. the same temperature together in a The student observes a chemical glass. A thermometer in the glass reaction when shows a temperature increase of several degrees. This change in A the batter sticks to the pan. temperature indicates * B the cake batter changes color. * A a chemical change. C steam rises from the warm cake. B a change in state of matter. D the pan increases in temperature. C a mixture has been produced. D the densities of the liquids have increased. Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five 3 3. Study the table below. Compost Pile Observations Day Action Observation vegetable peels, eggshells, shredded all items are mixed 1 newspapers, and water are placed and look wet after into the compost pile adding water compost pile is 5 compost pile is turned and mixed warmer than surrounding air compost pile is 10 compost pile is turned and mixed warmer than surrounding air ingredients are small, 15 no action taken crumbly, and black The materials in this compost pile have undergone a chemical change when A the compost pile is turned. * B the compost pile feels warm. C water is added. D vegetable peels are added. 4. Which activity below does not represent a chemical change? A burning logs B ripening pears C decaying leaves * D melting ice cubes Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five 4 5. Which student correctly identifies 6. A student places a solid effervescent evidence of a chemical change? (seltzer) tablet into a liquid. The student knows a chemical change has Students’ Observations occurred if Student Action Observation hammer a nail appears 1 nail into a smaller board hold a magnet 2 magnet over attracts the a paper clip paper clip put a rusty rusty metal metal hook in hook 3 a mixture of becomes vinegar and shiny water put an ice * A a gas is produced. ice cube 4 cube in a melts B the solid tablet sinks. warm cup C a mixture is produced. A student 1 D the solid tablet dissolves. B student 2 * C student 3 7. Students are given the following D student 4 materials: • orange juice • warm water • baking soda • ice • jar • spoon They placed orange juice, warm water, and ice in the jar and stirred with the spoon. Then the students added baking soda. Which observation is evidence of a chemical change? A The ice melted. B The water turned orange. C The materials were mixed with a spoon. * D The materials produced bubbles. Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five 5 8. Students drew pictures of four different experiments. Which picture most likely represents an experiment where there was a chemical change? A water oil B water grape juice * C water antacid tablet D water glass marble Alabama Science Assessment: Grade Five 6