ACT Aspire Science
What must students know and be able to do?
Jot down your thoughts
ACT Aspire Science Agenda
December 4, 2014
3:30 Merts
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Your Thoughts: What Must Students Know and Be Able to Do?
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Introduction
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Self assessment of ACT CCRS Science Process Skills
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Analysis of Sample test via ACT Aspire website
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Share Your Analysis of Sample test skill requirements
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Progress Ideas
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Identify two skills to work on and Scavenger Hunt
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Share
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Summarize
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Feedback
HCS ACT Aspire Scores-Spring 2014
Grade 3-10 ACT Aspire Test is directly linked to ACT
College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS)
The ACT Science and ACT Aspire Science is
probably the least understood portion of these type
of assessments.
Despite what its name suggests, it is not a science
knowledge test.
The ACT is not going to ask you to identify steps of
cell division, balance a chemical equation, or
determine the velocity of a moving object.
Advanced Knowledge in content
areas is not usually required
•
Background knowledge acquired in general science
courses may be needed to answer some questions in
upper grades.
•
Tests do not, however, sample specific content
knowledge with enough regularity to make inferences
about a student’s attainment of science content.
•
ACT Aspire stresses science practices over recall of
scientific content, complex mathematical skills, and
reading ability.
Science passages vary widely in subject matter
 Biology; life sciences (earlier grades)
 Chemistry and physics (physical science for earlier grades)
 Earth/space science (astronomy, meteorology, geology)
 These topics only provide a framework for the
passage; specific knowledge of these subjects are
usually not required. Any specialized terms (often
printed in italics) will be defined for you in the
introductory lines of the passage.
Format of the ACT Aspire
3 DOMAINS:
1. Interpretation of Data
2. Scientific Investigation
3. Evaluation of Models, Inferences, and
Experimental Results
*Self Assess –
On ACT CCRS handout – check off any standards
that your students do on a weekly basis
Computer Based Option
Analysis of Sample Test
Go to tn.actaspire.org
Username: science
Password: actaspire
Start test – then Click “Review” (upper left)
3rd -5th grade begin with question 25
6th -8th grade begin with question 1
As you answer each question, tally what skill is required
Discuss/Share Your Analysis of What Students
Must Know and Be Able to Do
When finished, answer 3 Questions at bottom of
the tally
Discuss with partner what surprised you about
your analysis and how this will affect your
instructional plans
http://padlet.com/pamela_vaughn/science
Modifying Lessons to meet CCRS
Think of one classroom activity that you’ve used
successfully that either requires students to use one of
the ACT Aspire skills or that helps students learn one of
the identified skills. (Jot down notes about the activity)
Think about how you could modify that activity to
improve it based on your ACT Aspire analysis
Share
Ideas for Progress
SCAVENGER HUNT: Identify 2 skills that you plan to work on next
week then locate/bookmark a resource that you will use….
6th - 8th grade:
 Pearson: “Interdisciplinary Activity - Program Resources- Editable Wks”
 http://www.commoncoresheets.com/BarGraphs.php (Charts/Graphs)
 http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf
3rd -6th grade :
 www.teach-nology.com - Worksheets –Math WKS – #30 “Reading Tables”
 http://www.mathworksheetsland.comhttp://sciencespot.net/Media/scim
ethodconvar.pdf
 http://sciencespot.net/Media/scimethodconvar.pdf
Questions for the ACT Aspire Science Test will
generally ask you to use the following skills:
 Read, select, and interpret data from charts, tables, and graphs.
 Compare or combine data from different charts, tables, graphs,
 Extrapolate data (take info that is there and draw conclusions and
make predictions about the results of additional tests or data)
 Compare and contrast opposing viewpoints
 Determine which Claim/viewpoint is valid based on data and text
 Translate information from a chart/text into a graph
 Use math
 Write explanatory text to convey information citing textual evidence
 Understand “good” experimental design
Poll Everywhere
Take Aways
 Was the learning today beneficial? What insights into
teaching and learning did you gain today and how
might you use this in your own work?
 Send text to 37607
 Type in 633002 then enter your response
Two Act Aspire Science Sample Test
Resources
Computer Based Option
Paper Based Option
Additional Resources Used
• Avocet
• ACT College and Career Ready Standards Science
of the 3 domains
• ACT College and Career Readiness Standards
Ideas for Progress:
13-15 score range
16-19 range
20-23 range
* These score ranges should provide a foundation for
3rd – 8th grade…Google for additional score ranges