CATS 4

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS ADOPTION

Score Sheet
I.Generic Evaluation Criteria
II.Instructional Content Analysis
III.Specific Science Criteria
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VENDOR:
COURSE:
TITLE:
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PART I -GENERIC EVALUATION CRITERIA

GROUP V – 2006 TO 2012

GRADE FOUR

R-E-S-P-O-N-S-E / CRITERIA / NOTES
Yes / No / N/A
  1. INTER-ETHNIC
    The instructional material meets the requirements of inter-ethnic: concepts, content and illustrations, as set by West Virginia Board of Education Policy (Adopted December 1970).

  1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
    The instructional material meets the requirements of equal opportunity: concept, content, illustration, heritage, roles contributions, experiences and achievements of males and females in American and other cultures, as set by West Virginia Board of Education Policy (Adopted May 1975).

CATS 4

Part II - Instructional Content Analysis

GRADE FOUR

(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT / (IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
80% / A=Adequate
80% / M=Minimal
60% / N=Nonexistent
Less than 60% / I / A / M / N

The instructional materials program presents information and opportunities in a manner that enables the student an understanding of:

1. History and the Nature of Science

  • the history of science and the evolvement of scientific knowledge
  • science as a human endeavor encompassing the contributions of diverse cultures and scientists
  • the nature of science

2. Science as Inquiry
  • engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities a minimum of 50% of the instructional time.

3. Unifying Themes
  • interdependent themes present in the natural and designed world
  • identify, construct, test, analyze and evaluate systems, models and changes
  • draw conclusions about and predict changes in natural and designed systems

4. Scientific Design and Application
  • interdependence between science and technology
  • distinguish between natural and man-made objects
  • to utilize technology to gather data and communicate designs, results and conclusions

(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT / (IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
80% / A=Adequate
80% / M=Minimal
60% / N=Nonexistent
Less than 60% / I / A / M / N
5. Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
  • evaluate personal and societal benefits when examining health, population, resource and environmental issues
  • evaluate the impact of different points of view on health, population, resource and environmental practices
  • predict the long-term societal impact of specific health, population, resource and environmental practices
  • understandpublic policy decisions as related to health, population, resource and environmental issues

CATS 4

PART III - SPECIFIC CRITERIA

GRADE FOUR:

COORDINATED AND THEMATIC SCIENCE 4 (CATS 4)

The Coordinated and Thematic Science 4 (CATS 4) objectives build on the study of geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics. Through a spiraling, inquiry-based program of study, all students will demonstrate scientific literacy in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space sciences. The subject matter is delivered through a coordinated, integrated approach with an emphasis on the development of the major science themes of systems, changes and models. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities. CATS 4 promotes cooperative learning, group decisions, cultural diversity, careers and expands the development of hands-on exploration. Basic science concepts are developed and problem-solving abilities are augmented.

(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT / (IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
80% / A=Adequate
80% / M=Minimal
60% / N=Nonexistent
Less than 60% / I / A / M / N

1. Characteristics of Organisms

a.describe the different characteristics of plants and animals which help them to survive in different niches and environments (4.4.1)
b.associate the behaviors of living organisms to external and internal influences (4.4.2)
c.identify and classify variations in structures of living things and explain their functions (4.4.3)
d.identify and classify variations in systems of living things and explain their functions (4.4.3)

2. Life Cycles of Organisms

a.compare and sequence changes in plant and animal life cycles (4.4.4)

CATS 4

b.understand that plants and animals closely resemble their parents (4.4.5)
c.understand characteristics of plants and animals are inherited from the parents (4.4.5)
(Vendor/Publisher)
SPECIFIC LOCATION OF CONTENT WITHIN PRODUCT / (IMR Committee) Responses
I=In-depth
80% / A=Adequate
80% / M=Minimal
60% / N=Nonexistent
Less than 60% / I / A / M / N
d.understand that some characteristics of plants and animals result from interaction with the environment(4.4.5)

3.Organisms and Environments

  1. identify human uses of plants and animals (4.4.6)

  1. describe environmental barriers to the migration of animals (4.4.7)

  1. construct and explain models of habitats, food chains and food webs (4.4.8)

4.Properties of Objects and Materials

  1. investigate how properties can be used to identify substances (4.4.9)

  1. investigate and compare the dissolving of different solids in a given liquid (4.4.9)

  1. examine simple chemical changes (4.4.10)

  1. understand that materials, including air, have mass, take up space and are made of parts that are too small to be seen without magnification (4.4.11)

  1. identify various changes in states of matter to heat loss or gain (4.4.12)

  1. investigate variables that affect the rate of evaporation of a liquid (4.4.13)

  1. investigate the density of liquids (4.4.14)

5.Light, Heat, Electricity and Magnetism

  1. identify different forms of energy (4.4.15)

  1. describe energy transformations that occur between different forms of energy (4.4.16)

  1. examine transverse and longitudinal waves (4.4.17)

  1. examine wave properties of frequency and wavelength (4.4.17)

  1. investigate static electricity (4.4.18)

  1. investigate conductors/nonconductors of electricity (4.4.18)

  1. construct simple electrical circuits (4.4.19)

  1. understand the relationship between a compass and a magnetic field (4.4.20)

6.Position and Motion of Objects

  1. relate motion of an object to its frame of reference (4.4.21)

  1. predict and investigate the motion of an object if the applied force is changed (4.4.22)

  1. explore that sounds are produced by vibrating objects and columns of air (4.4.23)

  1. explore the relationship between frequency of vibration (4.4.24)

7.Changes in Earth and Sky

  1. understand the geologic time scale (4.4.25)

  1. locate and identify patterns of stars and their seasonal changes (4.4.26)

  1. compare and explain the relative time differences to erode materials (4.4.27)

  1. investigate the cause and effects of volcanoes, earthquakes and landslides (4.4.28)

  1. interpret a weather chart or map (4.4.29)

8.Objects in the Sky

  1. identify the sun as a star (4.4.30)

  1. describe the orbits of the sun and moon (4.4.31)

  1. describe and explain the planets’ orbital paths (4.4.32)

9.Properties of Earth Materials

  1. describe the rock cycle (4.4.33)

  1. explain the relationship between the rate of cooling and crystal size of igneous rocks (4.4.34)

  1. compare ocean water and fresh water (4.4.35)