2018 Parent Workshop

on Science Assessment

(Primary 3-4)

COMMON MISTAKES BY PUPILS

MAIN PROBLEMS IN ANSWERING SCIENCE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

• Using the wrong concepts to answer the

questions.

• Not taking the time to read and process

the information in the question.

(diagrams and prose)

• Not working out the solutions.

• Not eliminating wrong answers based on

Science concepts.

PUPILS’ WORK

PUPILS’ WORK

THE GREENWOOD APPROACH

Examples on how

to use the RISES Strategy

RISES Hands-on

Spot the Error

Make it better

Question 1

All birds can fly.

Science Concept

• All birds lay eggs.

• All birds have wings, but not all of them can fly.

• Birds have a covering of feathers on their body.

• Each bird has a beak, a pair of wings and a pair of

legs.

What’s wrong?

All birds can fly.

Not all birds can fly.

Ostriches, emus, penguins and

kiwi cannot fly.

Question 2

Magnets are not made of

magnetic materials.

Science Concept

• Magnets can occur naturally in minerals or they

can be man-made.

• Man-made magnets are made from iron and steel.

• Iron and steel are magnetic materials.

What’s wrong?

Magnets are not made of

magnetic materials.

Magnets are made of

magnetic materials.

Question 3

We can stroke a magnetic

material to make it into a

magnet.

Science Concept

• A magnetic object can be made into a magnet

using the stroke method or the electrical magnet.

• When a magnetic object is made into a magnet, it

becomes a temporary magnet.

We can stroke a magnetic

material ^ to make it into a

magnet.

What’s wrong?

We can stroke a magnetic

material with a magnet to make

it into a temporary magnet.

Question 4

A seed needs air, water and

sunlight to germinate.

Science Concept

• Germination is the first stage in the development of a seed.

• If the seed is not dead, it will germinate when it gets sufficient air (oxygen), water and warmth (the right temperature).

• A seed does not need light to germinate. It can germinate in the dark.

A seed needs air, water and

sunlight to germinate.

What’s wrong?

A seed needs sufficient air,

water and warmth to

germinate.

Question 5

A young plant gets its food

from its seed before it grows

leaves to make food.

Science Concept

• During germination, the root appears first.

• At this stage, the young plant uses the food stored

in the seed leaves for energy.

• When the first leaves of the shoot open, the young

plant can then make its own food.

A young plant gets its food

from its seed before it grows

leaves to make food.

What’s wrong?

A young plant gets its food

from its seed leaves before it

grows leaves to make food.