1. TEACHING TO THE TEST by DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING
TAKS PREPARATION
TEACHING TO THE TEST by
DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING

2. EXAMINATION OF THE 2009 TAKS
ources/release/tests2009/taks_g08_science.pdf
EXAMINATION OF THE 2009 TAKS

3. 2009 TAKS CONTAINED:
15 diagrams
3 graphs
4 tables and
1 topo map

4. There were only five basic vocabulary questions
Photosynthesis
Delta
Mixture
Metamorphic rock
Cell structures

5. 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?

6. Examples of synthesis thinking
#13
#33
What kinds of activities help students develop the thinking skills necessary to address questions like these?

7. 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?

8. 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?

9. 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

10. COMMON THEMES BETWEEN TWO RELEASED TESTS
Balanced and unbalanced forces
Roller coaster: potential/kinetic energy
Identifying chemical reactions
Energy transformations
Simple machines
Atomic models

11. More common themes Artesian wells and ground water Phases of the moon
Natural cycles
Homeostasis
Succession
Punnett square

12. Inquiries developed upon some of these common themes could be used from year to year.

13. 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