Download 5.9.8 Content Guide and Five Item Resource

8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
CPI Links Content Guide & Five Items Resource
Introduction
The following information should be used as a companion to the CPI Links. It provides
clarifications concerning the content and skills contained in the CPI Links.
Remember that instruction should be much richer than assessment and that the examples
contained herein do not represent the variety of instructional strategies and supports
necessary for meaningful teaching and learning of academic content. The information and
examples are intended to clarify the intentions of the CPI Links so that assessment
activities aligned to the links––and thus to the state standards––can be developed or
chosen appropriately for students who participate in the NJ APA.
For each standard, you will find that this resource includes




The Test Specifications followed by the corresponding CPIs and Links
A Glossary of terms contained in the CPI Links
Further Clarifications concerning specific content, skills, language, and/or activity
development considerations
Five Items examples that show what constitutes five items for certain links where that
may not be clear as well as the semantic intent of the link language.
How to Use This Resource
1) Review the “Steps to Developing an Entry” in Modules IV and V of the Fall Training.
2) Remember to make your decisions regarding which CPI Link you will use to assess your
students based on the individual needs of your students. Just because a particular link may
be best for one student does not mean it is best for another, especially given the diverse
needs of the students who participate in the NJ APA.
3) Once you have selected a CPI Link, use the Glossary to look up the definitions of any/all
content vocabulary terms contained in the language of the link. This will ensure your
understanding of those terms is consistent with the understanding set forth by the NJ DOE
for the NJ APA.
4) Check the Further Clarifications section to see if there is additional information about
the CPI and/or CPI Link you have chosen that will be helpful as you choose or design the
activities you will use as the assessment evidence in your students’ APA portfolios.
5) If the CPI Link has an asterisk at the end of the link statement, you will find an example
of that link in the Five Items section to use as a guide/reference/model
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
8th Grade Science - Test Specifications and Links for
Standard 5.9 – Astronomy and Space Science
(Portfolio Entry 4)
The following is the CPI required for Standard 5.9: Astronomy and Space Science.
This CPI is from Strand B: Solar System. You must select a CPI Link from this CPI to
develop an entry for the APA portfolio.
STRAND B: Solar System
You MUST CHOOSE the following CPI:
CPI 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the
solar system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in
our solar system (including planets)
Matched Link
Near Link
Far Link
 Compare and contrast the
physical aspects of the
Earth to other objects in
our solar system*
 Identify similarities and
differences between
objects in our solar
system*
 Compare the physical
aspects of planets and
other various objects in
our solar system to each
other*
 Classify planets and other
objects in our solar system
as terrestrial (rocky) or
gaseous*
 Identify various objects
in our solar system––
must include more than
planets*
 Identify physical
characteristics of
planets*
Please note: Always consult the Glossary and Further Clarifications sections of this
resource when working with any of these Links. Additionally, an asterisk at the end of a
Link statement denotes there is an example for that specific Link in the Five Items section
of this resource.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Glossary – 5.9
Glossary - 5.9
Compare - to examine (two or more objects, ideas, people, etc.) in order to note similarities
and/or differences
Contrast - to compare in order to show differences; to note the opposite natures, purposes,
etc.
Dwarf Planet - lack the gravitational force to clear objects from their orbital paths (e.g.,
Pluto, Ceres, Eris); dwarf planets are considered “other objects” for APA purposes
Other Objects – natural things in our solar system other than planets (e.g., our sun, moon,
comets, asteroids, meteoroids, dwarf planets, the Oort cloud, and the Kuiper Belt) Note:
Man-made objects in space (e.g., the International Space Station, other satellites, and
spacecraft) are NOT acceptable as other objects
Gaseous Planets - planets that are not primarily composed of rock or other solid matter;
the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, are composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Uranus
and Neptune are sometimes called ice giants, as they are mostly composed of water,
ammonia, and methane ices.
Terrestrial Planets - planets that are primarily composed of silicate rocks and/or metals;
the terrestrial planets are the inner planets closest to the sun: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and
Mars
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Further Clarifications – 5.9
Further Clarifications – 5.9
Other objects:
The phrase “other objects within our solar system” refers to the natural things that are in
our solar system that are not planets.
Acceptable “Other Objects”:
• asteroids
• the Asteroid Belt
• comets
• meteoroids
• dwarf planets (Pluto, Ceres, Eris)
• our sun
• Oort Cloud
• Kuiper Belt
NOT Acceptable as “Other Objects”:
• manmade objects (e.g., space crafts, manmade satellites, the International Space
Station)
• stars other than our sun
• galaxies
• other solar systems
• black holes
• nebula
• atmosphere
CPI
Link
5.9.8B1 Far Link Bullet 2
Identify physical
characteristics of
planets
Clarification
Note that Pluto (as of 2006) is no longer considered a
planet. It is considered a dwarf planet, which is why it is
listed as an “other object.” However, the way the Links
are worded, the only Link for which Pluto may NOT be
included in an assessment would be 5.9.8B1 Far Link,
Bullet 2: “Identify physical characteristics of planets,”
because that is the only Link that is exclusive to planets.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
Five Items Examples
The Five Items examples are samples of activities that may be used as models
when choosing or developing activities for the APA.
They include specific considerations and guidelines that if not followed will
likely result in unscorable codes.
However, they do not show the required markings for
performance (+/-) or independence (I, V, G, M, P),
nor do they include student names and collection dates.
They are sample activities, not sample evidence.
Evidence must include all of the requirements of the
Universal Scoring Rules.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar
system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our
solar system (including planets)
Matched Link, Bullet 1: “Compare and contrast the physical aspects of Earth to
other objects in our solar system*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 For this link, Earth must be compared to other objects in our solar system. However, here,
“other objects” may include other planets. So, as shown in the example below, it is
acceptable to compare and contrast the physical aspects of Earth to other planets (e.g.,
items 1, 2, and 4) in addition to “other objects” (e.g., items 3 and 5).
 Since this link states “compare and contrast,” both similarities and differences must be
addressed across the five items.
 The phrase “other objects within our solar system” refers to the natural things that are in
our solar system that are not planets.
Directions to the student: Circle the correct answer.
This example
constitutes five
items.
Each question
pertains to a
similarity or a
difference
between Earth
and another
planet or object in
our solar system.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar
system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our
solar system (including planets)
Matched Link, Bullet 2: “Identify similarities and differences between objects
in our solar system*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 Both planets and other objects (e.g., asteroids, comets, sun, etc.) must be included.
 Across the five items, both similarities and differences must be addressed.
 In the example below, a chart was included for the student to use as a reference since it is
not reasonable to expect any student to have memorized this information. While this chart
only includes information regarding distance from the sun at closest point in orbit,
diameter, and revolution/orbit duration, other acceptable characteristics include number
of moons, number of rings, or comets, etc.
Directions to the student: Use the chart below to help you answer the questions. Circle the
correct answer to each question.
This example
constitutes five
items.
Across the five items,
the student
identified similarities
and differences
between objects in
our solar system.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar
system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our
solar system (including planets)
Near Link, Bullet 1: “Compare the physical aspects of planets and other
various objects in our solar system to each other*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 It is acceptable to compare one planet to multiple planets and other objects. It is also
acceptable to compare a planet to another object, as was done in the example below.
Directions to the student: For each planet/object pair, write what they have in common.
to
This example
constitutes five
items.
to
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
Each comparison is an
item. In this example,
the student wrote
three comparisons of
Saturn and a comet for
three items and then
two comparisons of
Earth and an asteroid
for a total of five
items.
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar
system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our
solar system (including planets)
Near Link, Bullet 2: “Classify planets and other objects in our solar system as
terrestrial (rocky) or gaseous*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 Across the five items, at least one “other objects” must be addressed.
 The terrestrial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
 The gaseous planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
 A gaseous “other object” is our sun.
Directions to student: Write the planet and other object into the correct column,
“Terrestrial (rocky)” or “Gaseous.”
This example constitutes 10 items.
Each planet/object classified is an item. In this example, the student
classified five planets/objects as terrestrial and five planets/objects as
gaseous.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar
system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our
solar system (including planets)
Far Link, Bullet 1: “Identify various objects in our solar system –must include
more than planets*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 Across the five items, planets and other objects must be included.
 If pictures are used, clearly label the pictures so that the student and reviewer understand
what the pictures represent.
 Be advised that this link is NOT asking for the student to simply identify the names of five
objects in our solar system versus five words/things that are not in our solar system. This
link intends for the student to actually identify the objects by name.
 Be advised that the information below is an explanation of an example rather than an actual
example. Actual student work is always required.
The teacher provides a list of objects in the solar system and photographs of those objects.
[Teacher may provide scaled images of a planet/asteroid versus a dwarf planet/meteoroid.
Teacher may provide photographs of moons in context (orbiting a planet). Teacher may include
descriptions of the objects.]
The student will match five photographs to the name of the object in the photograph.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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8th Grade Science, Standard 5.9
Five Items Examples – 5.9
CPI: 5.9.8B1 Describe the physical characteristics of the planets and other objects within the solar
system and compare Earth to the rest of the planets.
Essence of the CPI: Compare the Earth’s physical characteristics to those of other objects in our solar
system (including planets)
Far Link, Bullet 2: “Identify physical characteristics of planets*”
Important Considerations for this Link:
 Two or more planets must be assessed because the link specifies “planets” (plural).
 Other acceptable physical characteristics may include
o Order from the Sun
o Type of atmosphere
o Degree of axis tilt
o Amount of water
o Rotation speed
o Surface temperature
o Other distinguishing physical
o Orbital path
characteristics
o Number of moons
o Size
o Speed of revolution around the sun
o Composition (i.e., rocky/gaseous)
(length of year), etc.
 As was done in the example below, it is acceptable to allow the student to use a book or
other reference materials since it is not reasonable to expect any student to memorize all the
information.
Directions to the student: Using your book and the labels given to you, complete the chart
to identify the diameter, orbit, and atmosphere of Earth, Jupiter and Mars.
This example constitutes nine items.
Each characteristic identified is an item. In this example, the student identified the
diameter, orbit, and atmosphere for Earth (three items), for Jupiter (three items)
and for Mars (three items) for a total of nine items.
2014-2015 NJ APA Content Guide & Five Items Resource
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