Optional formal assessment tasks in Natural Sciences and Technology Grade 4


Strand


1 Life and living Structures


2


Matter and materials Structures


3 Energy and change Systems and control


4 Planet Earth and beyond Systems and control


Task


Practical task


Test


Practical task


Test


Practical task


Test


Practical task


Exam Optional activities


Option 1: Activity 1 Investigate the growth of plants from cuttings


Option 2: Activity 2 Investigate the growth of plants from seeds Control test (Term 1)


Option 1: Activity 2 Investigate how chocolate changes from one state to another


Option 2: Activity 1 Make a structure out of paper tubes


Content test (Terms 1 and 2)


Option 1: Activity 3 Research, design and make a musical instrument


Option 2: Activity 1 Investigate vibrations Control test (Term 3)


Option 1: Activity 1 Investigate and record the phases of the Moon


Option 2: Activity 1 Design, make and evaluate a rocket model


Control end-of-year exam (Terms 1–4)


LB 27


28 –


50 60


–


93 96 –


131 135


–


TG 50


51


132 69


78


135 99


100 140


124 126


144


Practical guidelines for assessing the forms of formal assessment for Natural Sciences and Technology


Assessment tasks should be designed to cover the content and concepts of the subject and include a variety of activities selected to assess the identified aims and skills.


Before handing out an assessment task to learners, teachers should ensure that they


are able to answer all the questions themselves. When teachers set an assessment task, they should draw up a memorandum of answers and/or a rubric of the assessment. Refer to the seven-point rating code or scale of achievement in this Teacher’s Guide when constructing a rubric.


Feedback should acknowledge strengths and identify areas of weakness for


learners’ developmental needs. Action plans on how learners will be supported should accompany this feedback. It is important that the feedback provided to learners encourages them to do better and builds their self-confidence.


Tests and examinations


These are individual assessment tasks. Tests and examinations for formal assessment should be conducted under controlled conditions. This means that they should be completed by all classes in the same grade on the same day, and that all learners in the


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