Analysis of Student Learning:

I pre-tested students on Monday October 26, 2015 to find out what they knew about rock
formations (Appendix A), how to describe rocks (Appendix A), and the order of the rock cycle
(Appendix A). The first pre-test Appendix A was designed by me to identify the students
understanding of rock formations; the backside of this assessment was to measure students
knowledge of describing rocks.

Pre-test (Appendix A):

Break down of questions: Students were asked to Choose a word from the word box below that
matches the definition. The words in the word box included: Sedimentary, Igneous, Minerals,
and Metamorphic.
1. Fill in the
blank
question.
All rocks are
made up
of_______.

Student
Name

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M

Question
Number

2. Fill in the
blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed
when layers of
sediment settle
on top of each
other.

3. Fill in the
blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed by
the cooling of
magma inside
the Earth or on
the Earths
surface.

4. Fill in the
blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed
from igneous
or sedimentary
rocks with
pressure and
heat.

1.

2.

3.

4.

% Pretest

+
+
+
+
+
+
X
X
+
+
X
X
X

+
+
+
+
+
+
X
X
X
+
X
+
X

+
+
X
+
X
+
X
X
X
+
+
X
X

+
+
X
+
X
+
X
X
+
+
+
+
X

100%
100%
50%
100%
50%
100%
0%
0%
50%
100%
50%
50%
0%

Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

X
+
+
X
X
+

+
X
+
+
+
+

X
X
+
X
+
+

X
+
+
X
X
+

50%
50%
100%
25%
50%
100%

Overall the class averaged 57% on the formation portion of the assessment. The most
missed question was question three which asked students to fill in the blank with igneous of this
statement: _______ rocks are formed by the cooling of magma inside the Earth or on the Earths
surface.

The second part of this assessment asked students to describe three Student Characteristics of
two different rocks (Appendix B). On each of the five tables students sit at had Rock 1 which
was granite and Rock 2 which was sedimentary.
Student Characteristics of Rock 1
Studen
t
Name

Number of
Student
Characteristic
s

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

1 Student
Characteristi
c

2 Student
Characteristic
s

3 Student
Characteristic
s

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
X
+
+
X
+
+
+
+

4 Student
Characteristic
s

5 Student
Characteristics

+
+

X
+
X
+

+
+
+

Characteristics of Rock 2
Studen
t
Name

Number of
Characteristic
s

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

1
Characteristi
c

2
Characteristic
s

3
Characteristic
s

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+

+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+

4
Characteristic
s

5
Characteristics

+
+
+
+
+
X

+
+
+

When I pre-assessed students on the Characteristics of rocks I was not very specific about what
three characteristics students needed to write about.
Students were also pretested on the rock cycle (Appendix C). This part of the pre assessment was
used to measure if students understood the concept of the rock cycle and if students understood
the breaking down of rocks. Students were given a diagram with oval cutouts they were to place
in the correct order.
Breakdown of questions
1. This space is for the
Weathering Erosion Oval in
between the Igneous and
Sedimentary ovals.

2. This space is for the Heat

Pressure Fluids Oval in
between Sedimentary and
Metamorphic ovals.

3. This space is for the

Melting in between the
Metamorphic and Igneous
ovals.

Studen
t
Name

Question
Number

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

1.

2.

3.

X
X
X
X
X
+
X
X
X
+
+
+
+
X
X
+
+
X
X

+
+
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
X
+
X
X
X
+
X
+

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
+
+
+
X
X
+
+
X

When I was grading my students pre-assessments and entering the data I found it interesting that
Student M scored 0% on the formation of rocks pretest, but 100% on the rock cycle pretest.

1. Igneous Granite
4. Sedimentary Shale
7. Metamorphic Gneiss
with layers

2. Igneous Pumice
5. Sedimentary Wonder
stone
8. Metamorphic Gneiss
with crystals

3. Igneous Basalt
6. Sedimentary
Sandstone
9. Metamorphic Schist

Studen
t
Name

Question
Number

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

X
+
X
X
X
X
+
X
+
X
X
+
X
X
+
X
X
X

+
X
X
X
+
X
+
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
X
X
+
+

+
+
X
X
X
X
X
+
+
X
X
+
+
+
X
X
X
+

+
X
+
X
X
+
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
+
X
X

+
+
X
X
+
X

X
X
+
X
X
X
X
X
X
+
X
X
X
+
X
X
+
X

X
+
X
+
X
+
X
X
+
X
X
X
+
+
X
X
+
X

X
X
X
X
X
+
X
+
+
X
X
X
+
X
+
X
+
X

+
X
+
X
+
X
X
X
X
+
X
X
X
X
+
+
X
X

X
+
X
+
X
+
X
+
X
+
X

Post Assessment:
On Wednesday after giving my lesson on the rock cycle I gave students the order of the rock
cycle posttest. This was the same as the pretest (Appendix C).
Studen
t
Name

Question
Number

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G

1.

2.

3.

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+

Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

On Thursday November 12, 2015 I post tested students on sorting rocks by type individually
during Literacy Centers.
Question Break Down:
1.Igneous Granite
4.Sedimentary Shale

2.Igneous Pumice
5.Sedimentary Wonder
stone
8. Metamorphic Gneiss
with crystals

7.Metamorphic Gneiss
with layers
Studen
t
Name

Question
Number

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N

3.Igneous Basalt
6.Sedimentary Sandstone
9. Metamorphic Schist

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

X
X
X
X
+
X
+
X
X
X
X

+
+
+
+
X
+
X
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
X
+
X
X
X
+
X

+
+
+
X
X
X
+
X
X
+
X

+
+
X
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
X

+
+
X
+
+
+
X
X
X
X
+

+
X
X
+
X
+
X
+
X
X
X

X
+
X
+
+
X
X
X
X
+
X

+
+
+
X
X
+
X
X
X
+
X

+
X

+
+

+
+

+
X

+
X

+
+

Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

+
+
X
-

+
X
+
-

X
X
+
-

X
+
+
-

X
X
X
-

X
X
X
-

+
X
-

X
+
X
-

X
X
+
-

On Friday November 13, 2015, I reviewed and assessed students on what they learned about
rock formations (Appendix C) and how to describe two different rocks (Appendix C)
Break down of questions: Students were asked to Choose a word from the word box below that
matches the definition. The words in the word box included: Sedimentary, Igneous, Minerals,
and Metamorphic.
1. Fill in the
blank
question.
All rocks are
made up
of_______.

Student
Name

Question
Number

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O

2. Fill in the
blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed
when layers of
sediment settle
on top of each
other.

3. Fill in the
blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed by
the cooling of
magma inside
the Earth or on
the Earths
surface.

4. Fill in the
blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed
from igneous
or sedimentary
rocks with
pressure and
heat.

1.

2.

3.

4.

%
Pretes
t

%
Post
test

Growt
h

+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
X
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
X
+
X
+
+
X
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

100%
100%
50%
100%
50%
100%
0%
0%
50%
100%
50%
50%
0%
50%
50%

100%
100%
50%
100%
100%
100%
100%
50%
50%
100%
50%
100%
100%
50%
Absen

Same
Same
Same
Same
50%
Same
100%
50%
Same
Same
Same
50%
100%
Same
Absent

Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

+
+
+
-

+
X
X
-

+
+
X
-

+
X
X
-

t
100%
50%
25%
Absen
t

100%
25%
50%
100%

Same
25%
-25%
Absent

Of the 17 students who took the posttest averaged 77% which is a 20% growth from the pretest.
The six students that were present who scored 100% on the pretest also scored 100% on the post
test. I had two students who scored 0% on their pretest, but scored 100% on their posttest. There
were 3 students who showed a 50% growth, one student who showed a 25%, and one student
who digressed by 25%
The second part of this assessment asked students to describe three Student
Characteristics of two different rocks (Appendix A). On each of the five tables students sit at had
Rock 1 which was granite and Rock 2 which was sedimentary. I modified this assessment by
putting next to the space for Rock 1 Be sure to use the word crystals! Next to Rock 2 I added:
Be sure to use the word cemented.
Student Characteristics of Rock 1
Studen
t
Name

Number of
Student
Characteristic
s

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q

1
Characteristi
c
Written

2 Student
Characteristic
s
written

3 Student
Characteristic
s

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

+
X
X
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

4 Student
Characteristic
s

+
+

+
+
+
+

5 Student
Characteristics

Student R
Student S

+
-

+
-

+
-

+
-

1 Student
Characteristic
s

2 Student
Characteristic
s

3 Student
Characteristic
s

4 Student
Characteristic
s

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
X
+
-

Characteristics of Rock 2
Studen
t
Name

Number of
Student
Characteristic
s

Student A
Student B
Student C
Student D
Student E
Student F
Student G
Student H
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student L
Student M
Student N
Student O
Student P
Student Q
Student R
Student S

+
+

5
Student
Characteristic
s

+
+

From the data of my students description of rocks, I found that students gave more lengthy
descriptions of their rocks during the pre-test than they did the posttest. I wonder if this data
could be due to the fact that I gave the posttest on Friday November 12, 2015 where students
seemed less focused and engaged, than when I pre-assessed my students on Monday October 26,
2015.
When I pre-tested students, they were quieter and more focused on their own work. Another
factor that may have helped my students stay more focused during the pre-test was that the
students and I went through the test together as I read each question to them.
Instruments used to Assess:

The front side of my first pre-assessment I feel measures my students ability to identify
vocabulary words with their definitions. However, this may not be the best was to assess all of
my students. Especially since students scored higher when asked to make a diagram of the rock
cycle rather than fill in the blanks with vocabulary words to correspond with the correct
definitions. I realized I fell short in accurately assessing my students knowledge on their ability
to describe rocks. When I had pre-assessed students I should have asked them to use the words
crystals, grains, and cemented. I modified my post assessment which asked students to describe
rocks by reminding them to use the words crystals and cemented. This however, does not make
my assessment valid because the pre and post tests are not the same.
Subgroups and Target Students
Breakdown of questions
1. This space is for the
Weathering Erosion Oval in
between the Igneous and
Sedimentary ovals.

2. This space is for the Heat

Pressure Fluids Oval in
between Sedimentary and
Metamorphic ovals.

3. This space is for the

Melting in between the
Metamorphic and Igneous
ovals.

On Wednesday after giving my lesson on the rock cycle I gave students the order of the rock
cycle posttest. This was the same as the pretest (Appendix C).
Studen
t
Name

Question
Number

1.

2.

3.

Student A

Student B

Student C

Student D

Student E

Student F

Student
Name

Questio
n
Number

1.

2.

3.

Student
A
Student
B
Student
C
Student
D
Student
E
Student
F

Student G
Student H

Student I

Students J

Student K

Student L

Student M

Student N

Student O

Student P

Student Q

Student R

Student S

Student
G
Student
H
Student
I
Students
J
Student
K
Student
L
Student
M
Student
N
Student
O
Student
P
Student
Q
Student
R
Student
S

From the Rock Cycle Diagram I was pleasantly surprised by how well the students who were
present took the test. All students who scored under 100% showed improvement. Although,
Student I improved his score by 25% he still missed two more questions than the entire class. I
believe this could be due to the fact that I did not read the ovals to him individually. Instead I
would have read Student I the ovals, he may have been able to glue the ovals in the correct
places.
On Friday November 13, 2015, I reviewed and assessed students on what they learned about
rock formations (Appendix C) and how to describe two different rocks (Appendix C)
Break down of questions: Students were asked to Choose a word from the word box below that
matches the definition. The words in the word box included: Sedimentary, Igneous, Minerals,
and Metamorphic.
5. Fill in the

6. Fill in the

7. Fill in the

8. Fill in the

blank
question.
All rocks are
made up
of_______.

Student
Name

Question
Number

blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed
when layers of
sediment settle
on top of each
other.

blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed by
the cooling of
magma inside
the Earth or on
the Earths
surface.

blank
question.
____ rocks
are formed
from igneous
or sedimentary
rocks with
pressure and
heat.

1.

2.

3.

4.

%
Pretes
t

%
Post
test

Growt
h

Student B
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student N
Student O

+
X
+
+
+
-

+
+
+
X
X
-

+
X
+
X
X
-

+
+
+
+
+
-

100%
50%
100%
50%
50%
50%

Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Absent

Student Q

25%

100%
50%
100%
50%
50%
Absen
t
50%

25%

Student Q who is in both subgroups grew 25 % on this pretest. However, students K and
N who were both in the ELL only subgroup stayed the same at 50%. Student B who is in both
subgroups stayed the same at 100% and Student J belonging to only the subgroup of Special Ed.
stayed the same at 100%. To have better helped my subgroup students better take their test I
could have read the test question by question as I did the pretest. This could have given me a
more accurate reading on what students knew rather than if they could read the material or not.
The second part of this assessment asked students to describe three Student
Characteristics of two different rocks (Appendix A). On each of the five tables students sit at had
Rock 1 which was granite and Rock 2 which was sedimentary. I modified this assessment by
putting next to the space for Rock 1 Be sure to use the word crystals! Next to Rock 2 I added:
Be sure to use the word cemented.
Student Characteristics of Rock 1
St
u
d
e

Num
ber
of
Stud

1
Char
acter
istic

2
Char
acteri
stics

3
Char
acteri
stics

4
Char
acteri
stics

5
Char
acteri
stics

nt
N
a
m
e

ent
Writt writt
Char en
en
acteri
stics

Student B +
+
X
Student I +
+
+
Students J +
+
+
Student K +
+
+
+
Student N +
+
+
Student O Student Q +
+
+
All the students that are in the ELL only subgroup and the Special Ed. only subgroup were able
to identify at least three characteristics of the first rock. Student B who is in both of the
subgroups was only able to write two characteristics which was a digression from his pretest.
Student O was absent at the time.
Characteristics of Rock 2
Studen
t
Name

Number of
Student
Characteristic
s

Student B
Student I
Students J
Student K
Student N
Student O
Student Q

1
Characteristic
s

2
Characteristic
s

3
Characteristic
s

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
+

+
+
+
+
+
X

4
Characteristic
s

5
Characteristic
s

All the students that where in the ELL only subgroup and the Special Ed. only subgroup were
able to identify at least three characteristics of the second rocks. Student Q who is in both of the
subgroups was only able to write two characteristics, which was less than what she was able to
write in her pretest (Appendix C). Student O was absent at the time.