DSTPDelaware Student Testing Program

Science - Grade 6

October 19th and 20th

DSTP Science – Grade 6

• It’s not a grade six science test!

• What does it test?

–4th grade science

–5th grade science

Grade 4 Science

Grade 4 Science Units

• Electricity

• Land and Water

• Structures of Life

• Solar System – Earth, Sun and Moon

Grade 4 Science Electric Circuits / Electricity and Magnetism

• Draw a complete circuit.

• What are insulators?

• What are conductors?

• What is attracted to a magnet?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Will this circuit light? Why or why not?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Insulators or Conductors?

Grade 4 ScienceLand and Water

• What is a stream table?

• What is erosion?

• What helps reduce erosion?

• What are the soil components that make up the land?

• What is evaporation?

• What is run-off?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Which stream table shows more erosion? Explain.

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

What helps reduce erosion?Which steam table would have more run-

off? Explain.

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Describe what could be done to help reduce the erosion.

Structures of Life

• What is a structure?

• What is a function?

• How do the structures of organisms help them survive in their environment?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

What are the structures of a plant? What is the function of each structure?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

What is the function of this structure?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Name a structure on the crayfish. What is the function of the structure?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Identify two things the crayfish needs in order to survive. What structures does the crayfish have that allows it to

survive in this habitat?

Solar System

• Describe how Earth’s rotation causes one half of Earth to always be illuminated by the sun (day) and one half not to be illuminated by the Sun (night).

• Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky from east to west each day?

• How does the appearance of the Moon change as it orbits Earth?• Why do the Sun and Moon appear to be the same size when viewed

from Earth?• What is our Sun? Why does it appear to be much larger than other

stars?• What do the planets in our solar system orbit around?• Name the planets of our Solar System.

Describe how Earth’s rotation causes one half of Earth to always be illuminated by the sun (day) and one half not to be illuminated by the Sun (night).

Why does the Sun appear to move across the sky from east to west each day?

How does the appearance of the Moon change as it orbits Earth?

Why do the Sun and Moon appear to be the same size when viewed from Earth?

What is our Sun? Why does it appear to be much larger than other stars?

What do the planets in our solar system orbit around?Name the planets of our Solar System.

No longer considered a planet

Grade 5 Science

Grade 5 Science Units

• Ecosystems

• Motion and Design

• Mixtures and Solutions

Ecosystems

• What is an ecosystem?• What is the energy source for all living

things?• What is interdependence?• How do living things depend on non-living

things for survival?• Describe a simple food chain.• How can pollution effect an ecosystem?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Select a consumer from the ecocolumn. Describe how this consumer gets its energy from the sun.

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Complete a simple food chain._____ ______ ________

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

If all the large mouth bass disappear, describe what effect this would have on the

food chain.

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Every living thing needs ENERGY. Where does this ecocolumn get its

energy?

Mixtures and Solutions

• What is a mixture?• What is a solution?• What is a saturated solution?• What is the difference between a dilute solution

and a concentrated solution?• How can you separate a mixture?• How can you separate a solution?• How can you tell which solution has more

chemicals dissolved in it?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Which liquid would be most useful in making solutions with the substances tested?

Explain your answer.

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Which is the solution? How do you know?

A B C

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

How would you separate the mixture?

salt

water

gravel

powder

Motion and Design

• What is force?

• What is load?

• What is speed?

• How can you increase speed?

• How can you decrease speed?

• What is friction?

• How does design effect motion?

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

Summative Assessment - DE Coalition

DSTP Test Items

• 68 points total – 36 points for short answer questions (18

questions worth 2 points each)– 32 points for multiple choice questions (32

questions worth 1 point each)

REMEMBER:

Answer every question.

Questions may be read to you by your teacher.

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Make a bar graph that shows the rainfall for the seven day period. Be sure to title and label your graph.

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Which object would you use to connect to the wires to light the bulb? Explain your choice.

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Scoring Rubric

• 2 Student clearly indicates an understanding of using a “conductor” (the metal paper clip) (does not need to use word but describes the properties) to complete the circuit or any other scientifically accurate response.

• 1 Recognizes that a “conductor” is needed but does not explain the complete circuit.

• 0 Incorrect, inappropriate, or incomplete response.

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A student turned the propeller of a toy airplane for 25 turns. It flew for 20 meters. What could the student do to make airplane fly a greater distance? Explain why this would

work. Be sure to describe the force or energy source that causes the plane to move.

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Scoring Guide• 2 Explains that the turned elastic band is a source of force (or power

or energy – vocabulary not being tested) that causes the plane to move (fly) AND suggests more turns of the propeller will wind the band more, allowing it to provide more force (hence travel greater distance – a greater change in motion). Student may also suggest reducing the mass (weight) of the plane to increase the distance.

• 1 Partially correct, provides a correct method to increase the flight distance but with a flaw in the explanation, e.g., turn the rubber band more to make it tighter OR states a method to increase the flight distance but never explains why.

• 0 Incorrect, inappropriate, incomplete, e.g., provides a method with no attempt at explanation, e.g., turn the rubber band tighter OR explanation is incorrect, OR method is incorrect.

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TRY YOUR BEST!

• Test Taking Tips– Read each question carefully. – Be sure to answer all parts of the question.– Read the whole question.– Take your TIME!– Write complete answers.– Ask the teacher to read questions to you if

you are confused.– RELAX! You know this stuff!!

You can do it!