CONFIDENTIAL Teacher's Copynotes1.nfschools.net/EMPForms.nsf... · How to Collect Seashells Seashells, also known by biologists as the exoskeletons of critters living in the

** CONFIDENTIAL **

** Teacher's Copy **

English Language Arts Packet 3

Grade 6

Standard1:Studentswillread,write,listen,andspeakforinformationandunderstanding.

•Readunfamiliartextstocollectdata,facts,andideas•Readandunderstandwrittendirections•Locateinformationinatextthatisneededtosolveaproblem•Identifymainideasandsupportingdetailsininformationaltexts

Page 2 ELA6Packet3 - - CONFIDENTIAL: TEACHER'S COPY - -

How to Collect Seashells

Seashells, also known by biologists as the exoskeletons of critters living in the sea, are popular for collectors.

1. Check out the rules concerning shell collecting in the areas that you are interested in. Some places don’t allow collecting or allow it only during certain times of year. Some places also may require permits. The local park service is a good place to start looking for this type of information. 2. Get more out of your collecting by learning what animals lived in the shells you pick up. 3. Look for bubbling holes in the wet sand. This indicates mollusk, or shellfish, burrows, which means there should be abandoned shells nearby. 4. Use a piece of screen stretched onto a wooden frame to sieve out the sand. (Be sure to use a type of screen that won’t degrade from the water—brass is good.) 5. Put things back if you move them. Rocks and driftwood may reveal a great find, but remember those places also are likely something’s home. 6. Handle starfish and sand dollars carefully—they’re very delicate.

• Don’t limit yourself to sandy beaches, particularly ones with hard surf crashing onto the sand. Firm sand isn’t a good habitat for shell dwellers. You can find shells in mud flats and reef areas as well. • Walking on a beach after a storm is a good way to find empty seashells that have been washed ashore.

• Be careful. Don’t get so wrapped up in your hunting that you lose track of time, the tides, and your sunscreen. • Be aware that low tides can become high and dangerous. “How to Collect Seashells” from ehow.com, copyright © 2004 by ehow.com. Used by permission.

1. Which guideline tells how to inquire about permits for collecting seashells?

A) Check out the rules B) Put things back C) Use a piece of screen D) Get more out of collecting ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-174611 A 1 Medium Remembering n/a n/a

Associated Passages ID PassageTitle Gender EthnicityWord countFlesch-KincaidStimulusType Subtype AreaMulticulturalNWEA-p-3284 How to Collect Seashells n/a n/a 201-400 n/a Reading Functional How-to Documentsn/a No


2. What is the main idea of the section entitled “Warnings”? A) Replace rocks and other items that may be homes for animals. B) Avoid beach areas with hard surf when collecting seashells. C) Collectors should heed several cautions. D) Be aware that storms wash empty seashells ashore. ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-173680 C 1 Low Understanding n/a n/a


3. According to the section entitled “Warnings,” why should you pay attention to tides when collecting

seashells? A) High tides bring many empty seashells to shore. B) Low tides make items from the sea easier to collect. C) Collecting seashells during high tide can be unsafe. D) Tides can damage delicate sand dollars and starfish. ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-168059 C 1 Medium Creating n/a n/a

Associated Passages ID PassageTitle Gender Ethnicity Word count Flesch-Kincaid Stimulus Type Subtype AreaMulticulturalNWEA-p-3284 How to Collect Seashells n/a n/a 201-400 n/a Reading Functional How-to Documents n/a No

4. Based on the “Tips” section, why should you avoid beaches with hard surf when looking for seashells?

A) Creatures with shells cannot burrow in packed sand made by hard surf. B) Crashing water from hard surf makes looking for seashells difficult. C) The swell of the sea washes shells away from beaches. D) The breaking of large waves limits the time available for collecting seashells. ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-168060 A 1 Medium Creating n/a n/a



5. Read the sentence. Seashells, also known by biologists as the exoskeletons of critters living in the sea, are popular for collectors. What does the sentence tell the reader about the possible genre of this selection? A) It is a list of safety guidelines that could be posted on a bulletin board. B) It offers opinions that could be included in a newspaper editorial. C) It is a testimonial that could be part of an advertisement. D) It reports facts that could be used in a brochure. ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-213271 D 1 High Analyzing n/a n/a


Baking Soda Crystals

Stalactites and stalagmites are some of the most amazing natural formations. What are they? They are precious secrets of the earth that are found deep underground in limestone caves all over the world. Stalactites grow downward, from the ceilings or sides of caves. They resemble icicles that cling to the roof in winter. Stalagmites grow upward, from the cave floor. You can easily remember which name defines each formation with the help of this little trick. Stalactites, with a “c” in the middle, grow from the ceiling, stalagmites, with a “g” in the middle, grow from the ground. Sometimes stalactites and stalagmites will grow into one another and connect, forming a large column. How are they formed? First, water seeps into the earth leading to a limestone cave. As the water drips from the ceiling and evaporates, it leaves behind a rock-forming mineral deposit. Next, the mineral deposit slowly builds over time, sometimes forming tiny crystals in the process. However, stalactites and stalagmites don’t just quickly appear— they take thousands of years to form. Are you ready to turn your kitchen into an underground cave? Ask an adult to help you with this experiment. By growing baking soda crystals, you can get an idea of how stalactites and stalagmites are formed. What you will need: • Two glasses or jars • Baking soda • Spoon • Piece of cotton or wool yearn (about three feet long) • Two paper clips or washers • Warm tap water • Plate • Optional: food coloring • A safe place to keep your experiment where it will not be disturbed Instructions: Follow these steps to make your crystals. 1 First, wash and rinse two glasses or jars. Next, pour about a cup of warm tap water into each glass.

2 Now add some minerals to the water. Add a spoonful of baking soda to each glass and stir it until the baking soda

completely dissolves.

3 Add another spoonful of baking soda to each glass and stir to dissolve it. Repeat this step, continuing to add and stir

baking soda to the warm water in each glass until no more will dissolve. It is necessary to have as much dissolved baking soda in the mixture as possible. This will make the mixture a saturated solution.


4 To add color to the crystals, add a drop or two of food coloring to each glass.

5 Set the glasses on either side of a plate.

6 Take a piece of yarn (about three feet long) and fold it in half. Twist the yarn together tightly, to make a strong rope-

like piece.

7 To continue the crystal-making process, use your fingers to take some of your crystal solution and dampen the yarn

to make it slightly wet.

8 Tie a paper clip or washer to each end of the twisted yarn. This will serve as a weight to keep your yarn from floating

around the glass. Once the weights are securely fastened to the yarn, put one end of the yarn into each glass.

9 Adjust the glasses on either side of the plate so there is a slight dip in the yarn over the plate. Make sure that the yarn

doesn’t touch the plate. There should be at least one inch between the lowest point of yarn and the plate to give the crystals room to grow.

10 Next, find a safe spot indoors to place the experiment for a few days. In order for crystals to form, the experiment

needs to remain in an isolated place where it will not be disturbed.

11 Now get ready to observe as nature takes its course! As the water slowly drips down the yarn and evaporates,

crystals will start to appear. (Crystals should begin forming in just a few days!) Check the experiment every day to notice the changes taking place. Stalactites will grow down from the yarn towards the plate and stalagmites will grow up from the plate towards the yarn. With enough time, stalactites and stalagmites will connect and form a column! Amazing!

Can’t get enough of crystals? Then make some crystals from different minerals and compare! Follow the same directions, but substitute the baking soda with Epsom salts, washing soda (sodium carbonate), or sugar. See what the different minerals look like when they turn into crystals!


6. Which sentence from the article supports the conclusion that the experiment might not work if it is moved? A) To continue the crystal-making process, use your fingers to take some of your crystal solution and dampen the yarn to make it slightly wet. B) Adjust the glasses on either side of the plate so there is a slight dip in the yarn over the plate. C) There should be at least one inch between the lowest point of yarn and the plate to give the crystals room to grow.D) In order for crystals to form, the experiment needs to remain in an isolated place where it will not be disturbed. ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-184023 D 1 High Creating n/a n/a

Associated Passages ID PassageTitle Gender Ethnicity Word count Flesch-Kincaid Stimulus Type Subtype Area MulticulturalNWEA-p-3748 Baking Soda Crystals n/a n/a 801-1000 6 to 6.9 Reading Functional How-to Documents n/a No

7. Which mineral described in this article is used in the experiment?

A) salt B) baking soda C) sugar D) washing soda ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-184024 B 1 Low Remembering n/a n/a

Associated Passages ID PassageTitle Gender Ethnicity Word countFlesch-KincaidStimulusType Subtype AreaMulticulturalNWEA-p-3748 Baking Soda Crystals n/a n/a 801-1000 6 to 6.9 Reading FunctionalHow-to Documentsn/a No

8. Which words from Paragraph 1 does the author use to appeal to the reader’s emotions?

A) amazing, precious B) natural, earth C) downward, upward D) little, large ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-184029 A 1 Medium Analyzing n/a n/a


9. Why does the author suggest tying a paper clip or a washer to each end of the yarn?

A) to hold the yarn in place in each glass B) to keep the yarn from falling off the plate C) to hold the yarn one inch above the plate D) to keep the yarn from sinking into each glass ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-184033 A 1 Low Remembering n/a n/a



10. Read the sentence.

You can easily remember which name defines each formation with the help of this little trick. Which word means the same as formation as used in the sentence? A) appearance B) activity C) structure D) product ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-184036 C 1 Medium Understanding n/a n/a

Associated Passages ID PassageTitle Gender EthnicityWord countFlesch-KincaidStimulusType Subtype AreaMulticulturalNWEA-p-3748 Baking Soda Crystals n/a n/a 801-1000 6 to 6.9 Reading Functional How-to Documentsn/a No

11. What is the root word of careful?

A) are B) care C) re D) ful ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms BiserialP-ValueNWEA-i-188725 B 1 Low Rememberingn/a n/a

12. Read the outline.

III. Tree Frogs A. 1. Green Tree Frogs 2. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs B. Where They Live 1. Rainforests 2. Central America Which best completes the outline? A) Types B) Behavior C) Appearance D) Diet ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms BiserialP-ValueNWEA-i-168812 A 1 Medium Applying n/a n/a


13. Which question could not be answered by using this chart?

Date Event 1809 Abraham Lincoln is born. November 4, 1842 Lincoln marries Mary Todd. 1847 - 1849 Lincoln serves in U.S. House

of Representatives. March 4, 1861 Lincoln is sworn in as 16th President. April 12, 1861 Civil War begins. January 1, 1863 Lincoln issues the

Emancipation Proclamation. November 8, 1864 Lincoln is re-elected to second term. April 9, 1865 Civil War ends. April 14, 1865 President Lincoln is assassinated.

A) Did Lincoln get married while he was president? B) What job did Lincoln have before becoming involved in politics?C) Was the Emancipation Proclamation issued during the Civil War?D) Was Lincoln alive at the end of the Civil War? ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-179427 B 1 Medium Analyzing n/a n/a

14. Read the list.

Growing Tomatoes Work up the soil Start seeds indoors Set out when warm Fertilize with compost Do not overwater Different varieties of tomato What else could be added to this list? A) Gardening is good exercise B) Recipes for tasty tomato sauce C) Squash plants need little fertilizer D) Stake the tomato plants with sticks ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms BiserialP-ValueNWEA-i-186222 D 1 Medium Analyzing n/a n/a


15. Read the sentence. Not wanting to be impolite, Lawrence returned the stranger’s wave. Which word could replace the underlined word and still retain the meaning of the sentence?A) respectful B) immature C) childish D) rude ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-Value NWEA-i-204950 D 1 Medium Remembering n/a n/a



16. Which general rule applies to the information in this passage?

A) Hikers should leave their pets at home. [May have guessed] B) Hikers should leave the trails as they found them. [Correct] C) Hiking should be done on public lands. [May have made incorrect generalization] D) Hiking should be done in summer rather than winter. [May have made incorrect generalization] ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-263899 B 1 Medium Analyzing 0.4 0.62

Associated Passages ID PassageTitle Gender EthnicityWord

countFlesch-Kincaid

StimulusType Subtype AreaMulticultural

NWEA-p-5606

Hiking the North Ridge Trails

n/a n/a 201-400 6 to 6.9 Reading Functional How-to Documents

n/a No

17. Which of the following is allowed when hiking on the North Ridge Trails?

A) feeding squirrels [May not have read carefully to gather information] B) cutting firewood [May not have read carefully to gather information] C) picking wildflowers [May not have read carefully to gather information] D) using log walkways [Correct] ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-263900 D 1 Medium Analyzing 0.55 0.72


countFlesch-Kincaid


NWEA-p-5606



n/a No


18. According to the passage, what problem can be avoided if hikers bring their own water instead of drinking from streams or springs? A) getting sick from bacteria in a stream or spring [Correct] B) slipping on a trail that crosses a stream or spring [May have used personal opinion / not text supported] C) disturbing wildlife living in a stream or spring [May have used personal opinion / not text supported] D) becoming overheated from drinking too little water [May have used personal opinion / not text supported] ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-263901 A 1 Low Understanding 0.57 0.80


countFlesch-Kincaid


NWEA-p-5606



n/a No

19. According to the passage, one way you can show respect for the lands is by—

A) staying on the trails [Correct] B) taking pictures of the scenery [May have used personal opinion / not text supported] C) telling others about your hiking experience [May have used personal opinion / not text supported] D) making a donation toward the upkeep of the trails [May have used personal opinion / not text supported] ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-263902 A 1 Medium Analyzing 0.38 0.64


countFlesch-Kincaid


NWEA-p-5606



n/a No

20. According to the passage, why should you wear flat, rubber-soled shoes or hiking boots on a hike?

A) so your feet will not get wet if you must wade across streams and springs B) so your footsteps will be quiet and you will not disturb the wildlife C) to give your feet a firm grip on the trail D) to cushion your feet on steep, rocky trails ID Answer Points Difficulty Blooms Biserial P-ValueNWEA-i-288560 C 1 Medium Applying 0.41 0.70


countFlesch-Kincaid


NWEA-p-5606



n/a No

Documents

CONFIDENTIAL ** ** Teacher's Copynotes1.nfschools.net/EMPForms.nsf... · How to Collect Seashells Seashells, also known by biologists as the exoskeletons of critters living in the

CONFIDENTIAL Teacher's Copynotes1.nfschools.net/EMPForms.nsf... · How to Collect Seashells Seashells, also known by biologists as the exoskeletons of critters living in the