Fourth Grade Science
Parent Workshop – PS 101
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
4th Grade Science Test Overview
 2 Parts:
 Written – June 2nd
 Performance – May 21st – May 30th
Information available on www.nysed.gov  Testing  Grades 4 and 8 Science
(http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/science/science-ei.html)
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
2
Written Exam
Format & Testing Conditions:
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Untimed
Multiple Choice (approx. 30 questions)
Open Ended (approx. 10-14 questions)
Very similar to ELA and Math state testing conditions
Key Ways to Prepare:
 Vocabulary
 Big Ideas
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
3
Vocabulary
Activity:
 Find a definition and word pair in the vocabulary cards handout. Keep it
a secret from your partner.
 Describe the meaning of your word to your partner and have your
partner guess your word.
 Swap roles with your partner and repeat the steps.
Home Connection:
Plan a variety of vocabulary games with your child:
 Describing and guessing game
 Memory
 Taboo version
 What other ways have you studied vocabulary with your children?
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
4
Big Ideas
Activity:
 Read the questions and identify the key topics & ideas being assessed in
each.
 List the big ideas for the question set.
Home Connection:
 Look for science in everyday life and identify big ideas
 Make connections to current events (articles, Olympics)
 Museum trips
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
5
Performance Exam
Format & Testing Conditions:
 3 – 15 minute stations
 Follow directions to perform simple hands on activities to answer
questions
 Materials – balance, mass pieces, ball and ramp, and circuit
 Students rotate among stations
Key Ways to Prepare:
 Short experiments & tasks by following directions
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
6
Q&A
Danielle Giunta – Network Leader
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