Performance Test

The NY State Intermediate Level Science Exam includes a performance test, in which the students complete three short labs, using different science equipment, on their own. To help them get ready for this, and because it's just a good way to assess their ability to "do science," we had our first practice performance test today. They had a regular every-other-week quiz, but one part was a performance task using the triple beam balance. I set up six stations around the room, and the kids took turns completing that part of the quiz. It went very smoothly, the kids enjoyed it, and I suddenly got a very clear image in my mind of my students, a year from now, confidently completing the science test.