Kelsey Prentice

FRIT 7236
Spring 2017

Grade Level: Third

Subject: Social Studies
Topic: US Government
GPS: SS3H1 The student will explain the political roots of our modern democracy in the United
States of America
SS3CG1 The student will explain the importance of the basic principles that provide the
foundation of a republican form of government.

Objective: Student will classify Levels of US Government and examples of the

responsibilities of each level.

1. Performance Assessment: (A6 Factual Knowledge, Create)

Students will create a Levels of US Government classification chart regarding the following
levels: national, state, local; and examples of the responsibilities of each level. Students will be
provided a list of terms regarding the US government that must be classified under the
appropriate separation. All terms provided must be classified at least once. To earn the best
possible score, use the rubric.

Levels of US Government
State an example of the responsibilities of each level and branch of government.
national government state government local government

____________________ ________________________ ____________________

____________________ ________________________ ____________________
____________________ ________________________ ____________________
____________________ ________________________ ____________________

Objective: Students will be able to construct a script that includes facts about the
government.
2. Performance Assessment: (A6 Factual Knowledge, Create)
You have been hired by the Mayor of your city as the public relations person. The Mayor has asked
you to create a commercial to educate the people of your town about the history of democracy and
how it has shaped our government in the United States. The local television station has given you
a two minute slot to air your commercial. You will need to do several things to make your
commercial successful and reach many viewers. Your will create a script for your actors.
Be sure to include facts about:
 Describe how national, state, and local government is similar to Ancient Greek government
 List some of the duties that show the separation of powers among levels of government
 Explain the responsibilities of each branch of government and how they help govern the
United States and our community
 Describe how collection of taxes helps the government provide services

You will be assessed on your ability to create a script for a reporter to convey why in the United
States there is a separation of power between branches of government and levels of government.
Additionally, you will be assessed on your ability to portray basic principles that provide the
foundation of a republican form of government and your ability to communicate effectively in a
variety of ways to the viewers. Make use of the rubric to obtain the highest possible score.

Objective: Students will create a travel brochure including relevant information connecting
the influence of Greek government, laws, sports, and architecture on the present.

3. Performance Assessment: (A6 Factual Knowledge, Create)

Using all the information collected regarding ancient and modern Greece, create a travel brochure
or pamphlet. Use visuals and informative writing in your brochure to allow your family, friends
and peers the opportunity to learn about this historical country. You will be assessed on your ability
to share relevant information effectively, your accuracy in content and writing skills, and in your
creativity. Utilize the rubric to obtain the highest possible score.

Assessment Plan

Reliability
Reliability is determined by the consistency of students’ scores on an assessment over time (Bookhart &
Nitko, 2015). In order to improve the reliability of the test items above, I would be sure to create a
detailed rubric, scoring guide, or checklist. This would allow me to grade each performance task fairly
and equally amongst all students. The rubric, checklist, and/or scoring guide will also help students
understand what is expected of them as they work on their performance assessments. Throughout the
unit, students will have had several opportunities to participate in different hands on activities, as well
as facts and information to establish the factual knowledge to master each task successfully.

Validity
Validity is the determination of whether or not an assessment truly assesses what it purports to
assess (Bookhart & Nitko, 2015). To make sure my assessment items measure what they are
intended to measure, I have written the objectives from a 3rd grade Georgia Performance
Standard that uses very similar vocabulary and skills to be demonstrated. I will also use a rubric,
scoring guide, or checklist to ensure each performance assessment is of quality and can be fairly
measured before it is assigned.
Differentiation
Differentiated instruction refers to adjusting instruction and instructional practices to meet the
needs of all students (Brookhart & Nitko, 2015). To ensure that I am meeting the needs of all my
students, I would review any student IEP’s that I may have and make sure modifications are set.
Accommodations for the following:
1. Classification Chart – Students will be given less terms to classify. Additionally, students
could be provided a classification chart with some government terms already written in.
2. News Commercial – Students will be provided an accommodated rubric using less
resources and asking for only 2-3 tasks to be included in the script.
3. Greece Brochure – Students will be able to work with a teacher appointed partner.
Students will be provided an accommodated rubric asking for less tasks to be covered, and/or
given a bullet point notes page of what to include in the informational writings.
Assessment questions/ performance tasks may also be rewritten so they are easier for
students to understand or any key words may be underlined or displayed in bold to help
students recognize important words.

Improving Student Learning

To help improve student learning, I would make sure that all lessons within the unit of study
incorporate engaging activities for students. Developing a good foundation of unit vocabulary
will be important for students to grasp the concepts related to US Government. Using graphic
organizers to allow students the opportunities to classify and identifying key information.
Additionally, providing multiple choice items to quickly assess student’s ability to grasp items
will help improve student learning. I will be able to clear up any confusion students may have
before moving on in the unit.

Improving Student Assessments

Improving future assessments entail that the assessments are aligned with what is the standard/
objective that is being tests. Giving students a pre-assessment before the unit begins could help
show what students already know about this particular subject and could help teachers design
more effective instruction. Additionally, it is imperative that students have proper instruction that
will address information needed to complete the performance tasks. The teacher should use other
question types, such as open-ended or constructed response, to allow students the opportunity to
show what they know besides the performance task. The feedback I receive after grading the
assessments will help me revise scoring rubrics or objective task.