CAASPP Grade 4 ELA - Performance Task

Student Directions

Unlikely Animal Friends Narrative Performance Task

Task:
Your class recently visited an animal petting zoo. At one special exhibit, two animals had become good friends even though they were two different types of animals. Your class begins to wonder if this happens with other animals. You decide to do some more research. You have found three sources. After you have looked at these sources, you will answer some questions about them. Briefly scan the sources and the questions that follow. Then, go back and read the sources carefully so you will have the information you will need to answer the questions and complete your research. You may click on the NOTES box to take notes on the information you find in the sources as you read. Your notes will be available to you as you answer the questions.

In Part 2, you will write a story on a topic related to the sources.

Directions for Beginning: You will now look at three sources. You can go back to any of the sources as often as you like.

Research Questions:
After examining the sources, use the rest of the time in Part 1 to answer the question(s) about them. Your answers to these questions will be scored. Also, your answers will help you think about the information you have read and looked at, which should help you write your story. You may click on the NOTES button above the sources to look at your notes when you think it would be helpful. Answer the questions in the spaces below them.

Student Directions

Living in an Ant Colony Narrative Performance Task

Task:

You have been spending a lot of time in your backyard. You have noticed that there are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of ants scurrying around every time you are out there. You are amazed at how interesting these creatures appear to be. You decide to do some research on ants. You have found two articles about this topic.

After you have looked at these sources, you will answer some questions about them. Briefly scan the sources and the questions that follow. Then, go back and read the sources carefully so you will have the information you need to answer the questions and finalize your research. You may click on the NOTES box to take notes on the information you find in the sources as you read. Your notes will be available to you as you answer the questions.

In Part 2, you will write a story on a topic related to the sources.

Directions for Beginning:

You will now look at two sources. You can go back to both of the sources as often as you like.

Research Questions:

After looking at the sources, use the rest of the time in Part 1 to answer question(s) about them. Your answers will be scored. Also, your answers will help you think about the information you have read and looked at, which should help you write your story.

You may click on the NOTES button above the sources to look at your notes when you think it would be helpful. Answer the questions in the spaces provided below them.

Student Directions

Thunderstorms Opinion Performance Task

Task:
Your class has been learning about different types of weather and weather patterns in the United States. You have become interested in thunderstorms and have decided to do some more research on them. You have found three articles about thunderstorms. After you have looked at these sources, you will answer some questions about them. Briefly scan the sources and the questions that follow. Then, go back and read the sources carefully so you will have the information you will need to answer the questions and complete your research. You may click on the NOTES box to take notes on the information you find in the sources as you read. Your notes will be available to you as you answer the questions.
In Part 2, you will write an opinion essay using information you have read.

Directions for Beginning:
You will now look at three sources. You can look at any of the sources as often as you like.

Research Questions:
After looking at the sources, use the rest of the time in Part 1 to answer question(s) about them. Your answers will be scored. Also, your answers will help you think about the information you have read and looked at, which should help you write your essay.

You may click on the NOTES button above the sources to look at your notes when you think it would be helpful. Answer the questions in the spaces below them.

Student Directions

Animals and Their Surroundings Informational Performance Task

Task:
Your school's science fair is taking place soon. Your class has decided to focus on doing science projects about animals. You become interested in learning more about where animals live. You have found three sources about this topic in the school library.

After you have reviewed these sources, you will answer some questions about them. Briefly scan the sources and the questions that follow. Then, go back and read the sources carefully so you will have the information you will need to answer the questions and complete your research. You may click on the Global Notes button to take notes on the information you find in the sources as you read. You may also use scratch paper to take notes.

In Part 2, you will write an informational article using information you have read.

Directions for Beginning:
You will now review several sources. You can review any of the sources as often as you like.

Research Questions:
After reviewing the research sources, use the rest of the time in Part 1 to answer question(s) about them. Your answers to these questions will be scored. Also, your answers will help you think about the information you have read, which should help you write your informational article.

You may click on the Global Notes button or refer back to your scratch paper to review your notes when you think it would be helpful. Answer the questions in the spaces below the items.

Both the Global Notes on the computer and your written notes on scratch paper will be available to you in Part 1 and Part 2 of the performance task.

Part 1

Sources for Performance Task

You have found an article that describes how animals survive in different environments, the places where plants and animals live.

It's a Cold (Hot, Dry, Dark) Cruel World!

by Dawn Baertlein

Living creatures survive in all types of environments. Each environment creates different challenges for animals that live there. Some living creatures survive at the bottom of the sea where it is dark as night and very cold. Other plants and animals live in dry, hot environments. People can use tools like flashlights or fans to help them survive. Animals and plants, however, must rely on nature to help them survive.

Near the South Pole, in Antarctica, it is very cold. It is usually about minus 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so Antarctica is much colder than ice. Scientists live at the South Pole, but they live in buildings with thick walls and heating. What do animals do?

Some animals have bodies that help them live in the cold. The icefish lives in water so cold that even in summer, chunks of ice continue to float in the water. How do icefish keep from freezing? The only way icefish can survive in this extreme environment is because they have a special substance in their blood that keeps ice crystals from forming inside their bodies.

Penguins have thick layers of fat or blubber to help them stay warm, but sometimes even that is not enough! Often penguins must rely on each other for survival. They cuddle up together as close as they can to share their body heat.

Another area that can be hard to live in is the dry, hot desert. People who live in the desert often wear special clothes to protect them from the heat. When they build homes they have air conditioners to keep them cool and to find water they dig wells that provide water from deep in the ground. How do animals survive in the hot, dry conditions?

Many desert animals come out only at night, when it's cool. Snakes, lizards, mice, and squirrels live in burrows. During the day, they stay under the ground and out of the sun.

In the hot Sonoran Desert of Arizona, an owl lives in a nest that sits on a tall cactus. The cactus stems store water. Rain doesn't fall often in the Sonoran Desert, but when it does, it falls quickly and heavily. Then the water quickly flows away. The cactus has roots that spread out only inches below the surface of the soil. The roots are like a big sponge, soaking up rainwater fast. Now the cactus can store water for months and the owl has a nice home high up in the cactus.

An owl nests on a cactus in the desert

The ocean has very different challenges from those of the desert. The deepest parts of the ocean are very dark and cold because the sun's rays are unable to shine through all of the layers of water. Some of the very deepest parts of the ocean have thermal vents on the ocean floor that are like little volcanoes under the sea. The water coming out of the vents is very hot. Crabs survive at the bottom of the sea by scurrying around the vents looking for food.

Arctic chill, desert sun, and cold, pitch-dark ocean—these are difficult conditions that would be hard for people to survive. But nature gives plants and animals the ability to live almost anywhere.

Sources Used

Carey, B. (2006, June 19). Fish produces natural antifreeze to stay alive. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13426864/ns/technology_and_sciencescience/t/fish-produces-natural-antifreeze-stay-alive/

Hill, K. (2007, September 15). What animal never drinks water in its entire life? Retrieved from http://www.bigsiteofamazingfacts.com/what-animal-never-drinks-water-in-its-entire-life SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment (n.d.). Polar bears: behavior. Retrieved from http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/polar-bear/behavior.htm

The Mariana Trench (n.d.). The mariana trench-biology. Retrieved from http://www.marianatrench.com/mariana-trench-biology_001.htm