TEACHING TO THE TEST by DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING TAKS PREPARATION TEACHING TO THE TEST by DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING
EXAMINATION OF THE 2009 TAKS http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/res ources/release/tests2009/taks_g08_science.pdf EXAMINATION OF THE 2009 TAKS
2009 TAKS CONTAINED: 15 diagrams 3 graphs 4 tables and 1 topo map
There were only five basic vocabulary questions Photosynthesis Delta Mixture Metamorphic rock Cell structures
Example of using a model/analogy using common representations. What are ways or activities to develop thinking skills needed to do well on test items such as these?
Examples of synthesis thinking #13 #33 What kinds of activities help students develop the thinking skills necessary to address questions like these?
Example of interpreting data from nature observations #8 What are some other questions that you could ask the students about this data? What are some inquiry activities that could be generated with this data?
Examples of Data From Experimental procedures #10 #16 #41 Can you think of additional questions that could be generated from these test items? Could an inquiry be developed or stimulated by these test questions?
Data sets Dealing with data is clearly an important aspect of the past two released TAKS Using data set inquiries could benefit student performance on TAKS The IRC has several data set inquiries available
COMMON THEMES BETWEEN TWO RELEASED TESTS Balanced and unbalanced forces Roller coaster: potential/kinetic energy Identifying chemical reactions Energy transformations Simple machines Atomic models
More common themes Artesian wells and ground water Phases of the moon Natural cycles Homeostasis Succession Punnett square
Inquiries developed upon some of these common themes could be used from year to year.
Part II Afternoon session Based on the probe activity, develop some TAKS formatted questions that could be used as a warm ups and wrap ups. Are there other TAKS preparation ideas based on today’s activities or inquiry in general? Start with # 23, 41