Everything you need to know! STUDY ISLAND Everything you need to know!

Why do we do it? Study Island will help us to review concepts that you learn this year as well as concepts you have learned in the past The PSSA Science test is a big deal and the information you need to know for the test is the stuff you learned in science class since 5th grade! That’s a lot of information!!! The Study Island questions are “PSSA-like” – they help you become familiar with the type of questions you will see on the test.

When Is it due? Study Island is due every Friday morning by 8AM Complete Study Island early in the week to avoid missing this deadline Study Island assignments will not be reactivated after the deadline IF you do miss the deadline you are still responsible for the material. You will need to see me for a hard copy of the Study Island lesson. You will borrow this copy from me and take notes on it for your Study Island quiz.

How is it graded? Study Island counts as a weekly homework assignment If you complete the assignment and obtain a blue ribbon you will get full credit for the assignment. If you partially complete the assignment you will lose 1 homework point. If you don’t complete the assignment you will lose 2 homework points.

Study Island Quizzes You will have a Study Island quiz after you complete a few (usually 2-4) assignments. For example you will complete the first three assignments, “The Universe,” “The Solar System,” and “The Earth, Moon, and Sun.” Following these assignments you will have your first quiz that is based on these assignments. The Quiz will count as a Study Island Homework assignment. In order to get full credit you must earn a 85% or better on the quiz. If you score between 60% and 84% you will lose one point. If you score less than 60% you will lose two points.

High expectations You may think that 85% seems like a high expectation, and it is! However, if you complete your Study Island each week this quiz will be no problem! Here is why... Part of your assignment each week is to take notes on the Study Island lesson before completing the assignment. I will not check your notes every week; however, you will be able to use those notes on the Study Island quiz based on those topics. Additionally, if you show me your notes on the Thursday before the quiz for ALL assignments I will give you ONE homework point back. If you never lose a homework point you can earn up to 5 bonus points in this way.

Other pointers As you answer Study Island questions, pay attention to the ones you get wrong. Read the correct answer and think about WHY that answer is correct. Maybe you will need to add something to your notes. It is likely that you will see quiz questions that are not directly from the reading. This is okay! Don’t panic! These questions are asking you to use what you have learned from the reading and APPLY it OR the questions may ask you to apply your science skills using the information presented.

Here’s an example:

So let’s review… Study Island is due every Friday at 8AM (if we do not have school on Friday I will announce the due date for that week. Half days do not affect this due date). Your assignment is to read the lesson, takes notes on the lesson, and complete the assignment. You will be allowed to use your notes on the quiz. You must earn 85% or better on the quiz. Taking notes on all assignments can help you earn homework points back or possibly earn bonus!