Performance Tasks

Level 2: Grades 3-5

Sample Performance Task

As you and a partner study conflicts during the Revolutionary war, think about the statement "The pen is mightier than the sword". What does this statement mean? Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Each time you discuss your views in context to the Revolutionary War, keep a log of the reasons for or against supporting the statement. With your partner, reach consensus on how to view the statement and then construct an argument supporting the statement or why you do not agree with it. You must use specific historical examples in your argument. Be sure you can identify and explain cause and effect in the historical examples.

Is the statement relevant to today’s world? Why or why not? Can you think of some challenge the world faces today that can be remedied by "the pen"? How might you go about making this change?

You will be assessed on your ability to work collaboratively with a peer, your ability to understand the effects of major conflicts, your understanding of major written documents in American history, your ability to explain cause and effect, your ability to construct support and your ability to communicate effectively in a variety of ways.

This sample performance task addresses the following:

Complex Thinking Standards	Constructing Support
Learner Expectation(s)	Effective Communicator Knowledgeable Person (see content standard) Versatile Thinker (see complex thinking standard)
K-12 Content Standard(s)	I. Uses chronology of history to demonstrate the relationship of events and people.II. Knows major periods, themes, events and people in history.
Key Learnings	2. Understands cause and effect in a sequenceof events.1. Understands the impact of specific individuals, events, and ideas on local, state and national levels.

Level 3: Grades 6-8

Sample Performance Task

You are the president of Eco--Create INC., a new company that tries to help regions develop using natural resources. You are trying to obtain funding for a new project in Maine. To help investors understand your plans, you are creating a presentation that will demonstrate the relationship between 18th century Maine geography and local, national and global events. Use historical investigation to research how Maine’s geography affected its development. You may want to consider settlement, industry, farming and other important events.

Using the data collected, make a presentation that would support your point of view that Maine is the keystone of the Atlantic Rim based on geographic and historical factors. Use this information to justify your request for funding to have Maine become a major international trade zone. Be sure you can answer any questions or rebuttals from the bankers!

You will be assessed on your ability to use historical investigation, your ability to use induction to reach conclusions, and your ability to communicate effectively in a variety of ways.

This sample performance task addresses the following:

Complex Thinking Standards	Investigation Induction
Learner Expectation(s)	Effective Communicator Knowledgeable Person (see content standard) Versatile Thinker (see complex thinking standard)
K-12 Content Standard(s)	II. Knows major periods, themes, events and people in history.V. Understands the concepts and physical and human characteristics of places and regions.
Key Learnings	1. Understands selected major events in U.S. history and world history (e.g. colonialization, industrialization, Westward Expansion).6. Understands the relationship between geography and local, national and global events.

SOURCE: Paul MacDowell, Portland Public Schools

Level 3: Grades 6-8

Sample Performance Task

You have learned about climate, culture and topography. Have you considered why people live in certain areas? Why do people choose to live here in our state? Why do you think some people would not like to live here? Choose one of these two questions and write three possible reasons (hypotheses) why people might choose to live or not live here. Develop one possible reason that relates to climate, one to culture, and one to topography. Select one of your hypotheses and set up an experiment to test it. Be ready to share your conclusions with others. Use your information to help convince a friend, sport team or organization to move to Maine or to convince your family to relocate based on their interests and needs.

You will be assessed on your ability to develop a hypothesis, your ability to test it, your ability to draw conclusions, your ability to explain how the results support or did not support your hypothesis and your ability to communicate effectively in a variety of ways.

This sample performance task addresses the following:

Complex Thinking Standards	Experimental Inquiry
Learner Expectation(s)	Effective Communicator Knowledgeable Person (see content standard) Versatile Thinker (see complex thinking standard)
K-12 Content Standard(s)	III. Engages in historical inquiry, analysis and interpretation.V. Understands the concepts and physical and human characteristics of places and regions.
Key Learnings	3. Uses the knowledge of the past and current events to project outcomes for current issues.5. Understands how people adapt to or modify environments

SOURCE: Adapted from Assessing Student Outcomes: Performance Assessments Using the Dimensions of Learning Model. McRel, 1993

Multiple Intelligence Test & The Myer's Briggs Personality Test

Part I   Complete each section by placing a “1” next to each statement you feel accurately describes you. .   Section 1 _____  I enjoy categorizing things by common traits _____  Ecological issues are important to me _____  Classification helps me make sense of new data _____  I enjoy working in a garden _____  I believe preserving our National Parks is important _____  Putting things in hierarchies makes sense to me _____  Animals are important in my life _____  My home has a recycling system in place _____  I enjoy studying biology, botany and/or zoology _____  I pick up on subtle differences in meaning _____  TOTAL for Section 1 Section 2 _____  I easily pick up on patterns _____  I focus in on noise and sounds _____  Moving to a beat is easy for me _____  I enjoy making music _____  I respond to the cadence of poetry _____  I remember things by putting them in a rhyme _____  Concentration is difficult for me if there is background noise _____  Listening to sounds in nature can be very relaxing _____  Musicals are more engagingto me than dramatic plays _____  Remembering song lyrics is easy for me _____  TOTAL for Section 2 Section 3 _____  I am known for being neat and orderly _____  Step-by-step directions are a big help _____  Problem solving comes easily to me _____  I get easily frustrated with disorganized people _____  I can complete calculations quickly in my head _____  Logic puzzles are fun _____  I can't begin an assignment until I have all my "ducks in a row" _____  Structure is a good thing _____  I enjoy troubleshooting something that isn't working properly _____  Things have to make sense to me or I am dissatisfied _____  TOTAL for Section 3 Section 4   _____  It is important to see my role in the “big picture” of things _____  I enjoy discussing questions about life _____  Religion is important to me _____  I enjoy viewing art work _____  Relaxation and meditation exercises are rewarding to me _____  I like traveling to visit inspiring places _____  I enjoy reading philosophers _____  Learning new things is easier when I see their real world application _____  I wonder if there are other forms of intelligent life in the universe _____  It is important for me to feel connected to people, ideas and beliefs _____ TOTAL for Section 4 Section 5 _____  I learn best interacting with others _____  I enjoy informal chat and serious discussion _____  The more the merrier _____  I often serve as a leader among peers and colleagues _____  I value relationships more than ideas or accomplishments _____  Study groups are very productive for me _____  I am a “team player” _____  Friends are important to me _____  I belong to more than three clubs or organizations _____  I dislike working alone _____ TOTAL for Section 5 Section 6 _____  I learn by doing _____  I enjoy making things with my hands _____  Sports are a part of my life _____  I use gestures and non-verbal cues when I communicate _____  Demonstrating is better than explaining _____  I love to dance _____  I like working with tools _____  Inactivity can make me more tired than being very busy _____  Hands-on activities are fun _____  I live an active lifestyle _____ TOTAL for Section 6 Section 7 _____  Foreign languages interest me _____  I enjoy reading books, magazines and web sites _____  I keep a journal _____  Word puzzles like crosswords or jumbles are enjoyable _____  Taking notes helps me remember and understand _____  I faithfully contact friends through letters and/or e-mail _____  It is easy for me to explain my ideas to others _____  I write for pleasure _____  Puns, anagrams and spoonerisms are fun _____  I enjoy public speaking and participating in debates _____ TOTAL for Section 7 Section 8 _____  My attitude effects how I learn _____  I like to be involved in causes that help others _____  I am keenly aware of my moral beliefs _____  I learn best when I have an emotional attachment to the subject _____  Fairness is important to me _____  Social justice issues interest me _____  Working alone can be just as productive as working in a group _____  I need to know why I should do something before I agree to do it _____  When I believe in something I give more effort towards it _____  I am willing to protest or sign a petition to right a wrong _____ TOTAL for Section 8 Section 9 _____  Rearranging a room and redecorating are fun for me _____  I enjoy creating my own works of art _____  I remember better using graphic organizers _____  I enjoy all kinds of entertainment media _____  Charts, graphs and tables help me interpret data _____  A music video can make me more interested in a song _____  I can recall things as mental pictures _____  I am good at reading maps and blueprints _____  Three dimensional puzzles are fun _____  I can visualize ideas in my mind _____ TOTAL for Section 9     Part II Now carry forward your total from each section and multiply by 10 below: Section Total Forward Multiply Score 1 X10 2 X10 3 X10 4 X10 5 X10 6 X10 7 X10 8 X10 9 X10     Part III Now plot your scores on the bar graph provided: 100 90 80           70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Sec 5 Sec 6 Sec 7 Sec 8 Sec 9 Part IV Key: Section 1 – This reflects your Naturalist strength Section 2 – This suggests your Musical strength Section 3 – This indicates your Logical strength Section 4 – This illustrates your Existential strength Section 5 – This shows your Interpersonal strength Section 6 – This tells your Kinesthetic strength Section 7 – This indicates your Verbal strength Section 8 – This reflects your Intrapersonal strength Section 9 – This suggests your Visual strength Remember: Everyone has all the intelligences! You can strengthen each intelligence! This inventory is meant as a snapshot in time - it can change! MI is meant to empower, not label learners!  This Multiple Intelligence allows the student to discover what are their strength and weaknesses in learning. includes all the 9 multiple intelligence and teachers can used this survey to know the learners. Copyright © 1999 Walter McKenzie, The One and Only Surfaquarium This survey may be printed, used and/or modified by educators as long as the copyright tag remains in tact.http://surfaquarium.com/MI/inventory.htm This free test is based on Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ typological approach to personality. Upon completion of the questionnaire, you will: Obtain your 4-letter type formula according to Carl Jung’s and Isabel Briggs Myers’ typology, along with the strengths of preferences and the description of your personality type Discover careers and occupations most suitable for your personality type along with examples of educational institutions where you can get a relevant degree or training See which famous personalities share your type Access free career development resources and learn about premium ones Be able to use the results of this test as an input into the Jung Marriage Test™ and the Demo of the Marriage Test™, to assess your compatibility with your long-term romantic partner Instructions: When responding to the statements, of the two responses please choose the one you agree with most. If you are not sure how to answer, make your choice based on your most typical response or feeling in the given situation. To get a reliable result, please respond to all questions. When you are done with answering, press the “Score It!” button at the bottom of the screen. You are almost never late for your appointmen YES   NO You like to be engaged in an active and fast-paced job YES   NO You enjoy having a wide circle of acquaintances YES   NO You feel involved when watching TV soaps YES   NO You are usually the first to react to a sudden event, such as the telephone ringing or unexpected question YES   NO You are more interested in a general idea than in the details of its realization YES   NO You tend to be unbiased even if this might endanger your good relations with people YES   NO Strict observance of the established rules is likely to prevent a good outcome YES   NO It's difficult to get you excited YES   NO It is in your nature to assume responsibility YES   NO You often think about humankind and its destiny YES   NO You believe the best decision is one that can be easily changed YES   NO Objective criticism is always useful in any activity YES   NO You prefer to act immediately rather than speculate about various options YES   NO You trust reason rather than feelings YES   NO You are inclined to rely more on improvisation than on careful planning YES   NO You spend your leisure time actively socializing with a group of people, attending parties, shopping, etc. YES   NO You usually plan your actions in advance YES   NO Your actions are frequently influenced by emotions YES   NO You are a person somewhat reserved and distant in communication YES   NO You know how to put every minute of your time to good purpose YES   NO You readily help people while asking nothing in return YES   NO You often contemplate the complexity of life YES   NO After prolonged socializing you feel you need to get away and be alone YES   NO You often do jobs in a hurry YES   NO You easily see the general principle behind specific occurrences YES   NO You frequently and easily express your feelings and emotions YES   NO You find it difficult to speak loudly YES   NO You get bored if you have to read theoretical books YES   NO You tend to sympathize with other people YES   NO You value justice higher than mercy YES   NO You rapidly get involved in the social life of a new workplace YES   NO The more people with whom you speak, the better you feel YES   NO You tend to rely on your experience rather than on theoretical alternatives YES   NO You like to keep a check on how things are progressing YES   NO You easily empathize with the concerns of other people YES   NO You often prefer to read a book than go to a party YES   NO You enjoy being at the center of events in which other people are directly involved YES   NO You are more inclined to experiment than to follow familiar approaches YES   NO You avoid being bound by obligations YES   NO You are strongly touched by stories about people's troubles YES   NO Deadlines seem to you to be of relative, rather than absolute, importance YES   NO You prefer to isolate yourself from outside noises YES   NO It's essential for you to try things with your own hands YES   NO You think that almost everything can be analyzed YES   NO You do your best to complete a task on time YES   NO You take pleasure in putting things in order YES   NO You feel at ease in a crowd YES   NO You have good control over your desires and temptations YES   NO You easily understand new theoretical principles YES   NO The process of searching for a solution is more important to you than the solution itself YES   NO You usually place yourself nearer to the side than in the center of a room YES   NO When solving a problem you would rather follow a familiar approach than seek a new one YES   NO You try to stand firmly by your principles YES   NO A thirst for adventure is close to your heart YES   NO You prefer meeting in small groups over interaction with lots of people YES   NO When considering a situation you pay more attention to the current situation and less to a possible sequence of events YES   NO You consider the scientific approach to be the best YES   NO You find it difficult to talk about your feelings YES   NO You often spend time thinking of how things could be improved YES   NO Your decisions are based more on the feelings of a moment than on the careful planning YES   NO You prefer to spend your leisure time alone or relaxing in a tranquil atmosphere YES   NO You feel more comfortable sticking to conventional ways YES   NO You are easily affected by strong emotions YES   NO You are always looking for opportunities YES   NO Your desk, workbench, etc. is usually neat and orderly YES   NO As a rule, current preoccupations worry you more than your future plans YES   NO You get pleasure from solitary walks YES   NO It is easy for you to communicate in social situations YES   NO You are consistent in your habits YES   NO You willingly involve yourself in matters which engage your sympathies YES   NO You easily perceive various ways in which events could develop YES   NO The personality test allows the students to discover their personality types.  This survey also provides job listing that matches every personality type that might interest the students.