Math and Science Classroom Materials

Hands-on teaching tools

noreply@blogger.com (Assessment Services, Inc.) — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 19:36:00 +0000

At Assessment Services, Inc. we believe in the importance of hands on learning. That’s why we are one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of educational manipulatives. Our learning tools are designed with educational enrichment in mind. From math manipulatives like algebra tiles and base ten blocks to reading and science manipulatives, our products help connect children with valuable concepts in classrooms around the world.

If you’re a parent or teacher searching for hands on tools to explain complex math, science or reading lessons to your students, our classroom materials can help. Shop today for great prices on geoboards, pattern blocks, magnet sets, unifix cubes, life science activities and more. We’re sure our products can improve your lesson plans and make your learning environment even more engaging. We even offer tips and resources for parents and teachers to improve the children’s learning habits and help them make learning more fun.

Balance kit - set of three types of balances

noreply@blogger.com (Assessment Services, Inc.) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:42:00 +0000

Balance kit - set of three types of balances

Next Generation Science Standards - Race To The Top

noreply@blogger.com (Assessment Services, Inc.) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 00:39:00 +0000

States are in varying stages of developing their NCLB science assessments. Typically, states contract with assessment companies which have a history of producing standardized, norm referenced tests, e.g., the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), the Tera Nova, the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT-9, SAT-10).

These new NCLB science tests must include either criterion-referenced assessments or augmented norm-referenced assessments, or both. The world of the standardized, multiple-choice, norm referenced test is disappearing as standards-aligned, criterion-referenced tests emerge.

Because many states' science standards include science inquiry and science process skills that are difficult to assess with conventional multiple-choice questions, more and more science assessments are taking on a different format and look. To assess a student's skills, students must "perform".

Hands-on performance assessment is moving us "beyond the bubble" of Scantron forms. When students are asked to perform, they are better able to utilize their unique learning styles (kinesthetic, visual, aural, etc.) as they tap into their own content knowledge of science. Student work from hands-on performance assessments better informs the teacher (and student) of what the student understands versus what bubble he may have guessed to be right.

Hands-on performance assessment in science requires students to perform various science skills (observation, data collection, organizing data, data analysis, drawing conclusions, etc.) as they manipulate equipment. Science equipment, typically organized in classroom sets, is delivered as science kits.

As the need for criterion-referenced science assessment of inquiry skills takes hold, the demand for science kits will continue to increase. States, districts, and schools are realizing that to assess science inquiry adequately, kits are a necessary, essential part of the assessment program. Educators also realize that if they are to meet the NCLB requirements for science assessment, i.e., to use up-to-date measures to assess mastery of science standards, and the states' science content standards include science inquiry, then the tests themselves need to include student hands-on performance tasks. And since "what gets tested gets taught," we will see an increasing number of science inquiry learning activities in classroom curriculum throughout the school year.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) program has been using science kits (HOTs) as part of its science program since the 1990’s. These science tests are administered every four years to a small sample of students across the nation. Although this national assessment program advocates the use of performance assessment requiring hands-on manipulation of science equipment, it is limited in scope. The more powerful influences that are changing science assessment nationally stem from the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

In a recent report, NAEP discusses the value of hands-on tasks.

Science education is not just about learning facts in a classroom – it’s about doing activities where students put their understanding of science principles into action. Tasks were designed to assess how well students can perform scientific investigations, draw valid conclusions, and explain their results. In 2009, in addition to the paper-and-pencil questions, fourth-, eighth-, and twelfth-graders also completed a new generation of hands-on tasks during which students worked with lab materials and other equipment to perform experiments. These tasks help us understand not only what students know, but how well they are able to reason through complex problems and apply science to real-life situations. While performing the…, hands-on tasks, students manipulate objects and perform actual experiments, offering us richer data on how students respond to scientific challenges.¹

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are written as performance expectations that are composed of all three components of the Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas.² Core ideas, practices, and crosscutting concepts are elements of each performance expectation. These expectations are written to address one goal of the Framework, i.e., a more seamless blending of practices with core ideas and crosscutting concepts. Hands-on performance assessment tasks can be used to effectively assess science practices and core ideas simultaneously.

¹The Nation’s Report Card: Science in Action: Hands-On and Interactive Computer Tasks From the 2009 Science Assessment (NCES 2012-468).

²A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, National Research Council, 2012.

Calling all inventors! An easy way to see how things work.

noreply@blogger.com (Assessment Services, Inc.) — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 14:55:00 +0000

Physics - Simple Machines Kit $12.95

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Establish a foundation in physics by building models of all six simple machines: levers, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, wedges, and wheels and axles. Assemble and use a spring scale to measure how the machines change the direction and magnitude of forces, making work easier to do.

Teaches basic physics principles with building 6 different models
High-quality building pieces interchangeable with kits in the series: Into to Engineering, Hydropower, Wind Power, and Physics kits
Includes a 12 page illustrated manual
8 different experiments
Ages: 8+

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

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Science Summer Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Assessment Services, Inc.) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:46:00 +0000

Stepping Into Science Kit $35.95

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Begin a lifetime of scientific investigation and understanding with 25 fun experiments in five key areas: nature, physics, chemistry, air, and water. Learn what plants need to grow, build a barometer, see how water climbs, watch plants sweat, and investigate plant propagation. Discover how a magnifying glass enlarges, how colors mix, how static electricity attracts, how sundials tell time, and how a motion picture works. Investigate air pressure, air flow, hovercraft, paper airplanes, and suction. Write secret messages, float a paper clip, blow super bubbles, observe capillary action, and test displacement. Build a soap-driven boat, mix oil and water, experiment with evaporation, paint with sugar, and watch a balloon inflate itself. With a 48-page guidebook, Stepping into Science teaches science fundamentals with step-by-step, hands-on experiments, while also introducing children to the scientific method itself.

Basic starter kit - covers science fundamentals in 5 topics: Nature, Physics, Chemistry, Air, and Water
Introduces concepts and processes of experimentation
Parents' Choice® Approved
Teachers' Choice™ Award 2012
48-page guidebook
25 hands-on experiments
Ages: 5+

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD -- Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

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