Please note that many tasks were constructed prior to Common Core and the task alignments to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were not identified in the task materials. To search for the performance tasks explicitly aligned to the CCSS, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), or College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards, please go to CCSS, NGSS, and C3 tabs.
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Identifying Creatures This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Understandings of Scientific Inquiry. Students must use a classification key about facial properties to identify three creatures. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
International Geographic Project In this task, students will collaborate as a class in creating a magazine modeled after National Geographic that answers the essential question, "How are things different when you cross the US/Mexico border and why?". This task includes: |
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Keep Cool This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Properties of Objects and Materials. Students must test cups of various materials to determine which would be best suited to keep a cold drink cool on a hot day. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Peat Pots This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the knowledge of the Earth System. Students must observe and calculate the capillarity of soil by observing a peat pot in water. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
People on the Move In this task students will will choose a group of people and describe how their needs and wants (economic reasons) and location (geography) caused them to move. You will also create a map illustrating this movement. They will then construct a map and write a paper or make a presentation. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Predator/Prey Relationship This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Populations of Ecosystems. Students must analyze given population data and write a paragraph demonstrating their underatandings, and then write a proposal to reduce one animal's population. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Probing Under the Surface This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Structure of the Earth System. Students must measure and record various lengths in order to determine the shape of the bottom inside of a box. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Puddles and Soil This task (in PALM and in PALS) focuses on the Structure of the Earth System. Students examine the concept of permeability by carrying out an experiment to determine which types of soil produce puddles. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Pulse In this task (in PALM and in PALS), students must determine a base pulse rate, and then continue to observe and record the pulse rate during various activities and over time. They must then describe and explain their observations. This task includes: |
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Source Subject Grade Level |
Reaction Rates In this task, students must measure and graph results between temperature and the reaction rate of a mixture. This task includes: |
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