Assessment Map
Assessment Summary:
To check student understanding and progress in this unit, they will partake in three main degrees of assessment: Entry-Level, Formative, and Summative. Each level of assessment invites students to thinking critically of earthquakes, how they are generated, and what can be done to be prepare for or mitigate these natural hazards.
- Entry-Level Assessment consists of an in-class discussion. Students will view a brief video depicting the destructive effects of earthquakes. Next, questions are presented to the class such as, "How much time do you think these people had to react?" or "Do you think these people were prepared?". Afterwards, questions will be directed to more personal experiences with earthquakes like "Have you ever experienced an earthquake or know someone who has?". The purpose of this in-class discussion to remind students that California has a large capacity for tectonic activity and as they advance through the unit they will understand why and how it is so.
- Formative Assessment consists of four exercises targeted at checking student progression through the unit.
- The first exercise is a digital, Guided Lecture in which students are to complete a worksheet as they view a powerpoint presentation on the theory of Plate Tectonics.
- Next, students will complete a Online Webercise in which they are to explore the USGS (United States Geologic Survey) Website and complete a worksheet highlighting specific details on earthquakes.
- Thirdly, students will then complete a Quiz combining concepts covered from both the Plate Tectonic Powerpoint and the Earthquake Webercise.
- The final exercise of the formative assessment is an Seismic Wave Classification in which students are to create a digital graphic organizer and organize the different kinds of seismic waves in a clear a logical manner.
- Summative Assessment is comprised of two projects.
- The Neighboring Fault Project has students investigate and report on the nearest active fault to their home or neighborhood. Here students are to explore aspects of the fault such as; When was the most recent earthquake?; What was the largest/smallest magnitude generated from that fault?; How far away do you live from the fault? Students will then create a powerpoint presentation and present their findings to the class. The purpose of this project to bring earthquake awareness to each and every student. Earthquakes are a regularly occurring, yet unpredictable phenomenon and it is important to be prepared.
- The Historical Earthquake Presentation has students investigate a recorded historical earthquake. Students are to choose a historical earthquake and compile pertinent information onto a posterboard. The posterboard should be presented in both a creative and historically accurate manner.