Sample Assessment Items

This is not meant to be printed off and given as a test…this document is to give you ideas of how this standard might be assessed. Please use these as an example when you are developing your own formative assessments. Remember formative assessment is to be given throughout the teaching of a standard to help you guide your instruction based on students needs. A good formative assessment should have a mix of multiple choice as well as open ended.

S3P1 Students will investigate how heat is produced and the effects of heating and cooling, and will understand a change in temperature indicates a change in heat.

b. Investigate how insulation affects heating and cooling.

Multiple Choice:

Why does a metal spoon left in a mug of hot cocoa become warm?

a.  Metal is an insulator.

b.  Metal is a conductor.

c.  Metal produces its own heat.

d.  Metal warms from magnetism.

Answer: b

Amy and Katie are playing a guessing game about an object.

Amy’s Question / Katie’s Answer
Is it solid? / yes
Is it made out of metal? / no
Does it conduct heat? / no
Is it soft? / yes

Which of these is MOST LIKELY Katie’s object?

a.  tin can

b.  glass plate

c.  wool mitten

d.  copper penny

Answer: c

Mom stirred her warm tea with a metal spoon. Then she put the spoon against her hand. Why did the spoon feel warm against her hand?

a.  The spoon is magnetic.

b.  The spoon is an insulator.

c.  The spoon is a conductor.

d.  The spoon has static electricity.

Answer: c

Which is the BEST example of an insulator?

a.  a dog’s fur

b.  an owl’s eyes

c.  a cat’s claws

d.  a fish’s gills

Answer: a

Cooper is making hot chocolate for his friends. What kind of cups should he use so his friends will not burn their hands?

a.  foam

b.  glass

c.  metal

d.  plastic

Answer: a

Which of these prevents heat from escaping a house during the winter?

a.  outlets

b.  insulation

c.  conductors

d.  circuit breakers

Answer: b

Which of these is the BEST heat conductor?

a.  cloth glove

b.  rubber glove

c.  aluminum can

d.  plastic foam cup

Answer: c

Which of these is the BEST heat insulator?

a.  fur hat

b.  steel fork

c.  glass cup

d.  copper pan

Answer: a

Open ended:

What is insulation?

How does insulation keep an animal warm?

List 3 materials that can be used as insulation.

What can we do to keep an object’s temperature constant?

Why is using insulation important when heating and cooling?