Extensive Speaking

Grade Level: 3rd grade

Content Area: Science
SOL Standard: 3.2d
The student will investigate and understand simple machines and their uses. Key concepts
include examples of simple and compound machines found in the school, home, and work
environments.
WIDA Standard: 4: Language of Science
WIDA Proficiency Level: 5 (Bridging)
Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is to check students knowledge of examples of simple
and complex machines in everyday life. This assessment will check their understanding of the
topic by requiring them to partake in sharing explanations of why something would be deemed a
simple or complex machine.
Objectives:
Content: SWBAT demonstrate their ability to explain why certain machines are simple
or complex which giving examples of each.
Language: SWBAT demonstrate fluency and communicative functions using complete
sentences in their explanation of simple and complex machines.
Directions: You will be given multiple prompts on a piece of paper by the teacher. You will read
the prompt and respond to the prompt orally to the teacher in complete sentences. You can
reference the prompt at any time. You will need to include each objective of the prompt in your
oral response. (10 points total)
Example:
Prompt: Describe your favorite season and what you like about it.
Summer is my favorite season. Summer is my favorite season because the pool opens and I can
go there with my friends. Where I am from, during the summer it gets really hot and there is
never snow. Sometimes there is a rain, but I like the summer rain. I also like summer
because school is out and can go on vacations with my family.
Assessment:
Prompts:
Tell me three of the six main simple machines.
Give an example of a simple machine you can find in a classroom and describe its use.
o For each, specifically state what kind of simple machine.
Give your own definition of a compound machine.
Give an example of a compound machine of your choice and give a possible use for it.
o Make sure to state what simple machines make up your compound machine.
Give an example of a compound machine you would find outside of the classroom.
o Make sure to state what simple machines make up your compound machine.

Rubric:
5 pts: Students used complete sentences with fluency
5: High fluency, all complete sentences
4: High fluency, mostly complete sentences
3: Average fluency, half complete sentences
2: below average fluency, less than half complete sentences
1: Not fluency, rarely used complete sentences
0: no speaking
2 pts: 3 simple machines were listed and 1 classroom simple machine is correctly described
3 pts: 2 Classroom compound machine are described and the 1 compound machine definition is
correct
Total: 10 points

References
Brown, H. D., & Abeywickrama, P. (2010). Language assessment: Principles and classroom
practices (1st ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.
Loudoun County Public Schools. (n.d.) Simple machines SOL review page. Retrieved from
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/7007/Simpl
e Machines_SOL Review Page.pdf
VDOE. (2010). Standards of learning documents for science. Retrieved from
http://doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/index.shtml
WIDA. (2012). English language development (ELD) standards. Retrieved from
https://www.wida.us/standards/eld.aspx#2012
WIDA. (2014). Can do descriptors. Retrieved from http://www.wida.us/standards/CAN_DOs/