Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic/
Force, Motion, Energy, and Matter
Alternative Assessment
Cindy is conducting an experiment to determine if the type of chocolate affects the melting rate. She places one milk chocolate chip
and one white chocolate chip on a paper plate and sets each paper plate in direct sunlight. Cindy times how long it takes each chip
to melt. Below are the results of her experiment.
Trial
1
2
3
1.
2.
3.
4.
Milk
Chocolate
1 minute,
26 seconds
1 minute,
21 seconds
1 minute,
23 seconds
White
Chocolate
1 minute,
37 seconds
1 minute,
40 seconds
1 minute,
32 seconds
Describe the physical properties of the chocolate before and after the experiment.
What conclusions can be made from Cindy’s data?
Why did Cindy perform her experiment three times?
Cindy wants to conduct a new experiment to see which melted chocolate will freeze faster. Write a possible hypothesis for her
experiment.
Grade 3 Science Alternative Assessment Rubric
Questions:
1. Describe at least three physical properties of the chocolate before and after the experiment.
2. What conclusions can be made from Cindy’s data?
3. Why did Cindy perform her experiment three times?
4. Cindy wants to conduct a new experiment to see which melted chocolate will freeze faster. Write a possible hypothesis for her experiment.
Reporting Category
4
3
2
1
Scientific Investigation,
Student demonstrated a
Student demonstrated a
Student effectively addressed
Student addressed one or
Reasoning, and Logic
logical analysis of the data and logical analysis of the data and two of the following:
none of the following:
effectively addressed all of the effectively addressed three of
 Drawing conclusions
 Drawing conclusions
following:
the following:
 Accuracy of experiments
 Accuracy of experiments
 Drawing conclusions
 Drawing conclusions
 Hypothesis stated in the
 Hypothesis stated in the
 Accuracy of experiments
 Accuracy of experiments
terms “If…, then…”
terms “If…, then…”
 Hypothesis stated in the
 Hypothesis stated in the
 Hypothesis is related to
 Hypothesis is related to
terms “If…, then…”
terms “If…, then…”
the experiment
the experiment
 Hypothesis is related to
 Hypothesis is related to
the experiment
the experiment
Force, Motion, Energy,
and Matter
Student effectively addressed
the following with at least
three examples:
 Compare/contrast physical
properties
Student effectively addressed
the following with at least two
examples:
 Compare/contrast physical
properties
Student effectively addressed
the following with at least one
examples:
 Compare/contrast physical
properties
Student did not effectively
address the following:
 Compare/contrast physical
properties
Total:
Score: __________