As the unit began, students were assessed through their ability to write responses to open ended questions, correctly answer multiple choice questions, and participate in discussion about their background knowledge.  Then, students were assessed on their written observations of the experiment, their individual responses to Jamboard questions, and their collaboration towards the conclusion that objects with more potential energy will travel greater speeds and distances.  After that, students were assessed on their verbal observations of the Rube Goldberg machine video and Rube Goldberg’s original drawings.  Also, students were assessed on their written observations of the tuning fork experiment, their individual responses to Jamboard questions, and their ability to collaborate toward the conclusion that the kinetic energy of the tuning fork is able to transfer to other objects such as a glass of water.  For both experiments, I provided a rubric which outlined my expectations for students, and which was used as a guide throughout the assessment process. The first portion of the unit wrapped up with a game of review Jeopardy and a Google Forms quiz.  In the latter half of the unit, students were formatively assessed on their contributions toward the “Energy Sources Pros and Cons Chart” as well as their individual responses to Jamboard discussion questions about each of the energy resources discussed.  They also took another Google Forms quiz to track their progress. Finally, students were assessed on the quality of their writing piece, which included the use of a graphic organizer and rubric in order to aid students in understanding the assignment.

The rubric used for both experiments in the unit

Experiment Rubric

 

The results of the first quiz (potential and kinetic energy, energy transfer)

Ms. Ireland’s Energy Quiz (Responses)

 

The results of the second quiz (renewable and nonrenewable resources)

Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy Quiz (Responses)

 

The graphic organizer for the writing assignment

Jacob Hiatt Energy Graphic Organizer

 

The rubric for the writing assignment

Jacob Hiatt Energy Writing Rubric