Actively Learn Science’s Performance Tasks are designed for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and not only help your students demonstrate mastery in science class but can also prepare them for state-wide science tests.
Each performance task focuses on a single Middle School Performance Expectation of NGSS and can be used to fit within your unique scope and sequence or within the Curriculum Units on Actively Learn Science. All performance tasks are designed using best practices, including the Next Generation Science Task Screener.
What is in a Performance Task?
Each task includes the following components:
- An authentic phenomenon or problem that drives the task
- Rigorous questions that separately assess the three dimensions of the Performance Expectation (Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts)
- Scaffolded questions to prepare students for the final question
- A final question that integrates all three dimensions of the Performance Expectation
Each exercise also includes an accompanying Teacher’s Guide, which is linked in the Teaching Ideas of each task. The Teacher’s Guide includes the following components:
- What students should know and be able to do prior to the performance task
- A unique rubric for the final question in the task
- Exemplar sample student responses
- Ideas for differentiation
- Options for reassessment if your students do not demonstrate mastery
Where can I find Performance Tasks?
You can easily access all of the assessments on our Science Performance Tasks Page.
You can also find Performance Tasks on the topic page(s) that is/are most relevant for the performance expectation. Just look for assignments with the green “Performance Task” label.
How do these tasks work and how are they different from other assignments on Actively Learn?
These performance tasks take place on Actively Learn and include multiple-choice questions and extended-response questions. They are designed to test student comprehension of core concepts in science or social studies via a test-tasking environment. These tasks differ from other Actively Learn assignments in the following ways:
Students cannot access collaboration features but can take notes, define unfamiliar words, and translate text.
Students can take notes in the text but will not be able to share notes with other students or see feedback on questions as they work. Teachers can turn off any of the student reading aids in the assignment reading settings.
Questions will not be automatically graded as students input their answers.
Students’ answers to all questions will be submitted at the end of the task. When students are finished with the assignment, they need to click the "Submit Performance Task" button and confirm that they are ready to submit. After the task is submitted, students can no longer change their responses.
Teachers can control when to release student grades, just like with in-person exams.
Unlike other assignments in Actively Learn, grades for these performance tasks will not be automatically released to students. Grades will be released only when teachers click the “Release Grades” button.
Teachers can assess student understanding through long-form essay questions.
Some performance tasks include long-form essay questions to assess student understanding of a broader concept or problem. These essay questions have a much higher point value than other questions by default.