DIGS PLATE BOUNDARIES MODULE ALIGNMENT TABLE

This table shows alignments between standards and the items in the unit and assessment items of the Plate Boundaries Module. This alignment table addresses two questions:

1.Which standards are measured by which items on the assessment?

2.Which unit items prompt the same or similar tasks that the assessment items prompt?

Table 1: Alignments of unit items and performance assessments to NSES Inquiry Standards and Components

NSES Inquiry Abilities
Grades 9-12 / Plate Boundaries Unit / Plate Boundaries Assessment
1. Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations / N=1
1.1
formulate testable hypothesis / A1, A2, A3
G1c,d
G2c,d
G3c,d / C4a
1.2
logical connections between hypothesis and design
1.3
knowledge of appropriate procedures for scientific investigations
2. Design and conduct scientific investigations
2.1 clarification of question
2.2 choose equipment and safety precautions
2.3 choose technologies
2.4 plan for finding scientific knowledge from sources other than investigation
2.5 plan method (controls, variables, data display)
2.6 use or modify methods
2.7 use equipment and safety precautions to gather, organize, and display data
3. Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications
3.1 use technologies to collect, organize, and display data / B3, B4
3.2 use mathematics
4. Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and evidence
4.1 formulate explanations using logic and evidence / B5
F1, F2
G1a,b
G2a,b
G3a,b
4.2 formulate models using logic and evidence
5. Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models
5.1 critique explanations according to scientific understanding, weighing the evidence, and examining the logic
5.2 critique models according to scientific understanding, weighing the evidence, and examining the logic
6. Communicate and defend a scientific argument / N=9
6.1 review, summarize, and explain information and data / C1 C2
C3 a,b,c
D1, D2
E1-7 / A1, A2
B1, B2
C1
6.2 develop/use diagrams and charts / B2, C2
6.3 construct a reasoned argument / G4 / C3, C4B
6.4 respond to critical comments
6.5 use language appropriately, clearly, and logically

Table 2: Alignments of Plate Boundary Unit and Assessments to selected components of NSES Content Standards

Aligned NSES Content Standards, Grades 9-12 / Plate Boundary Unit / Plate Boundary Assessment
1. Unifying Concepts and Processes: Systems, Order, and Organization
1.1 systems as composites of related objects or components / A1-A4
C1, C2, C3
D1, D2 / A1, A2
B1, B2
C1, C2, C3, C4
1.2 plate boundary systems / B3-5, F1, F2
E1-7
G1-4
2. Unifying Concepts and Processes: Evidence, models, and explanations
2.1 observations and data
3. Unifying Concepts and Processes: Constancy, change, and measurement:
3.1 interactions within and among systems
3.2 range, scale, pattern of change, trends and cycles.
4. Earth and Space Science: Developing Student Understanding
4.1 Energy in the Earth system
4.2 Geochemical cycles
4.3 Origin and evolution of Earth system
4.4 Origin and evolution of Universe
5. Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
5.1 natural and human-induced hazards
5.2 science and technology in local, national, and global challenges
6. History and Nature of Science Nature of scientific knowledge
6.1 logical argumentation
6.2 scientific skepticism
6.3 questions surrounding earth systems
6.4 accepting incomplete ideas where information is fragmentary

Table 3: Alignments of Plate Boundary Unit Items and Performance Assessment to selected components of AAAS Content Standards, Grades 9-12

AAAS Content Standards
Grades 9-12 / Plate Boundary Performance Assessment

1. The Earth

1.1 Earthquakes often occur along the boundaries between colliding plates… / A1-2, B1, C1-4
1.2 Under the ocean basins, molten rock may well up between separating plates
1.3 Ocean floor plates may slide under continental plates… / A1-2, B1-2, C1-4
1.4 The solid crust of the earth, including both the continents and ocean basins, are part of separate plates. / A1-2, B1-2, C1-4
1.5 The theory of plate tectonics provides an explanation for a diverse array of seemingly unrelated phenomena. / A1-2, B1-2, C1-4

Table 3: Alignments of Plate Boundary Unit Items and Performance Assessment to selected components of AAAS Content Standards, Grades 9-12

AAAS Content Standards
Grades 9-12 / Plate Boundary Unit / Plate Boundary Assessment

1. The Earth

1.1 Earthquakes often occur along the boundaries between colliding plates… / A1-A3
C1B3-5
E1-7
F1-2
G1-4 / A1 & A2 continental-continental,
A1 & A2 oceanic-oceanic
B1b & B2b oceanic-oceanic
B1c & B2c oceanic-oceanic
C1, C2, C3 continental-continental
C1, C2, C3 oceanic-oceanic
C4
1.2 Under the ocean basins, molten rock may well up between separating plates
1.3 Ocean floor plates may slide under continental plates… / \ / A1 & A2 oceanic-contintental
B1a & B2a oceanic-contintental
C1, C2, C3 oceanic-continental
1.4 The solid crust of the earth, including both the continents and ocean basins, are part of separate plates.
1.5 The theory of plate tectonics provides an explanation for a diverse array of seemingly unrelated phenomena.
4. Earth and Space Science: Developing Student Understanding
4.1 Energy in the Earth system / C2-3
4.2 Geochemical cycles