Decisions, Decisions

In science, once is a coincidence while twice is a fluke and only thrice proved is accepted as anything real. Your assessments this semester will follow a similar vein. You will choose your assessments for each topic. On assessment days, you will be able to choose which version of assessment you would like to take, with the exception of the benchmark, which will still be a traditional test. Rubrics will be created according to the topic being assessed and the requirements listed later in the packet. By the end of the semester, you must have at least one tic-tac-toe. If you can manage to get three assessments in a topic, you may opt out of that section of the final.

Traditional test

Toondoo or
alternative cartooning program

Performance Event

I-movie or
comparable video product

Lab Report

Scratch Gaming Animation

Slideshow Presentation

Research Paper

Periodical Summary Review

Assessment Explanations
Traditional Test
This is a regular test just like the ones you took first semester. It will cover everything about that topic and contain a variety of questions of varying difficulty levels, ranging from introductory all the way up to advanced ideas. Periodic tables, ion sheets and solubility rules are allowed on these assessments. Theses assessments will be very similar to the benchmark and final assessments given.

Performance Event
Similar to what was seen in first semester, a performance event deals specifically with the application of a topic in real world situations and unfamiliar scenarios. An index card of information is permitted on these assessments, along with the usual periodic table, ion sheet and solubility rules.

Lab Report
This would be a full lab report identical to the ones we completed at the beginning of the year. The report should contain the following components: Name, date, partner, statement of purpose/hypothesis Background information on the topic being explored as well as dangers inherent in the experiment A detailed step-by-step procedure An observation section of notes and things noticed during the experiment Clear, easy to read data tables A results section of summarized data and conclusions drawn A discussion section that summarizes the experiment and results An error analysis section that discusses any sources of error in the experiment, their impact on the lab and a means of improving or eliminating this error. This section also includes improvements to the lab itself.

Research Paper
Written as a scientific research paper, this paper must meet the following requirements At least 5 pages in length 12 pt font, Times New Roman 1 in margin Additional cover page with name, date and title At least 2 online sources and one print source (it can be an online version but there must be a print copy somewhere) cited in bibliography Addresses a real world application or problem connected to the topic being assessed Discusses chemistry topic being assessed Topic approved by instructor prior to beginning

Slideshow presentation
This assessment option is basically the verbal form of the research paper and must meet the following requirements: At least 7 minutes in length At least 3 sources cited at end of presentation Q&A session at end of presentation Addresses a real world application or problem connected to the topic being assessed Discusses chemistry topic being assessed Topic approved by instructor prior to beginning

Toondoo
This is a free program online that allows students to create their own cartoons to demonstrate understanding of a topic, meeting the requirements below: Site: www.toondoo.com Demonstrates topic being assessed Is school appropriate Must include at least 3 frames Content is original to the student, though pre-existing characters may be used (Batman, Superman, etc)

I-Movie
Any movie maker program can be used to produce this assessment option, which must meet the following requirements: At least 7 minutes in length Discusses the topic being assessed A script is provided along with the movie School appropriate Includes a creative means of explaining the idea o This can be drawing or skits or puppets. . . . just dont stand there and talk at me

Scratch Gaming Animation

Very similar to Toondoo, this program allows students to create interactive stories and must meet the following requirements: Site: www.scratch.mit.edu Demonstrates topic being assessed Is school appropriate Is a creative way of demonstrating topic Content is original to the student, though pre-existing characters may be used (Batman, Superman, etc)

Periodical Summary Review

Here, you are to read and summarize a scientific article from one a peer-reviewed scientific publication, such as Scientific American, National Geographic, or Journal of Chemical Education. If you are unsure if your article qualifies, please ask. This article must be at least a page in length. You are to create a summary and a review of the article, meaning that you will summarize what information is present in the article and then assess its accuracy and delivery. It should meet the following requirements: Deals with the topic being assessed Summary is at least 5 sentences in length o Summarizes important points made by the article o Is mostly grammatically correct with minimal spelling errors Review is at least 5 sentences in length o Discusses accuracy of information provided o Mentions delivery of information (is it biased, is it mean, is it dumbed down) o Points out specific relation to the topic being assessed Must be typed, double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font, 1in margins