quick assessments & reading passages - amazon s3 · corvidae, and particularly the crows and...

Quick Assessments & Reading Passages

Standards-based

Pre and Post Assessments aligned to a specific

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address 3 levels of rigor for differentiation. Great for

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I can evaluate and select strong textual evidence that supports an implied idea in the text.

Reading Informational RI.8.1

15

Assessment #1 “Bird Brains: Amazing Crows and Ravens”

Assessments & Reading Passages

RI 8.1

Standard RI.8.1

I can evaluate and select strong textual evidence that supports an

implied idea in the text.

“Brain Birds: Amazing Crows and Ravens”

By Terry Krautwurst

Lexile: 750 Word Count: 1025

No matter where you live, they’re your neighbors. You might want to watch them—carefully. Let me introduce you to the Corvid family. Like all families, they have their faults. But I think you’ll like them anyway, once you get to know them. They’re sociable—if a bit loud, especially at gatherings. They’re smart and perceptive—though some might say cunning and deceptive. And they’re exceedingly resourceful—come to think of it, you might keep a close eye on your possessions. They’ve been known to steal—food, trinkets, baby animals. Don’t worry. I’m speaking not of any human family, but of the bird family Corvidae, and particularly the crows and ravens in the clan Corvus. Like most members of that genus—which in North America also includes magpies, nutcrackers and jays—crows and ravens are sturdy, stout-beaked, long-legged birds with powerful wings. They also have something of an attitude, which can vary from aloof to in-your-face. You can forgive them for their overconfidence though, when you consider their resumes. Crows and ravens are the stuff of legend; for centuries, they have been revered and reviled, fawned over and feared by humans. Shakespeare wrote them into his plays, Thoreau into his thoughts, Poe into his horror tales. Shrines have been built to them; songs sung; chants chanted. Oh—and one more thing: Crows and ravens are the eggheads of the bird world and thus the darlings of

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Assessment #1: “Brain Birds: Amazing Crows and Ravens” 2

avian science. With the arguable exception of parrots, they’re the smartest winged species on the planet. They’ve even outperformed monkeys in some psychological tests. Truth be told, they’ve outsmarted many a human, too. THEY’RE EVERYWHERE Some 40-plus species of crows and ravens inhabit the skies worldwide over virtually every terrain, from desert to tropics to tundra. In the contiguous United States, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is easily the most common. Three other crows claim American territory: The slightly smaller fish crow (C. ossifragus) ranges along the East Coast and through the Gulf States east of Texas; the Northwestern crow (C. caurinus) occupies the Pacific Seacoast from upper British Columbia to the northwestern tip of Washington; and the Mexican or Tamaulipas crow (C. imparatus) calls southernmost Texas its home. Geographically, the crow’s larger cousin, the common raven (C. corax), is more broadly distributed. Its overall range encompasses almost all of Canada and Alaska; most of the western United States; and New England and the Appalachian mountains. In reality, though, the common raven is less common across its range as a whole, except in higher elevations. Like hawks and eagles, ravens prefer high places from which to search for food. Although crows and ravens apparently have no trouble telling one another apart, humans have a harder time discerning the distinctions. Size would seem to matter, since an average raven is far larger (2 to 4 pounds, with a wingspan up to 4 feet) than a correspondingly average crow (1 to 1½ pounds, with a wingspan up to 3 feet). But if you judge strictly by size, you can easily mistake a small raven for a large crow or vice versa. Finally, listen to the bird’s calls. The crow’s trademark caw caw doesn’t remotely resemble the raven’s characteristic utterance, a deep guttural crrroak or naaaaahk. SPEAKING OF INTELLIGENCE That crows and ravens are classified as songbirds may come as a surprise, but it is the presence of a voice box, or syrinx, rather than talent for melody that qualifies them. They use their vocal equipment to communicate with a large vocabulary of expressive calls for courting, gathering, warning and more. Ornithologists, scientists who study birds, have identified as many as 24 crow calls and up to 64 distinct raven vocalizations.

Assessment #1: “Brain Birds: Amazing Crows and Ravens”

3

But it’s brainpower, not bravado vocals, that really sets crows and ravens apart from other animals. They have the largest cerebral hemispheres, relative to body size, of any birds—the raven’s brain is the same size in relation to its body as a chimpanzee’s. More significantly, crows and ravens apply their brainpower; they learn quickly, solve problems and store knowledge in long-term memories. Furthermore, crows and ravens understand cause and effect. In the South Pacific, New Caledonian crows sculpt twigs into hooked probes that they use to pry out otherwise inaccessible grubs—they make their own “crowbars.” The same crows nip the edges of rigid leaves to create sawlike teeth, then shove barbed tools beneath leaf litter to spear prey. They also carry their tools with them on foraging expeditions, and store them for later use. Stories abound of crows or ravens dropping nuts or clam shells onto highways and other hard surfaces to break them open. In Japan, crows are reported to have taken the strategy a step further by placing nuts in front of the tires of cars stopped at red lights. Scientific research confirms much of the anecdotal (something that is based on a personal account of an incident) evidence. In one study of captive birds, scientist Bernd Heinrich dangled bits of meat from the end of a 2-foot-long string tied to a perch. He then watched his test subjects—first a pair of American crows, and later five common ravens—attempt to bring home the bacon (in this case, it was actually salami). The crows tried flying at the food, then tugged at the string a few times, but gave up within 15 minutes. Time to study the situation didn’t help; after 30 days, they still hadn’t solved the problem. The ravens spent a few hours glancing at the puzzle, as if weighing the possibilities. Then one bird flew to the perch, hoisted a length of string up with its beak, stepped on the loop, pulled up another length, stepped on that loop, and so on until it had reeled in the food. Ultimately, three more ravens also solved the problem. Two improved on the technique by simply grabbing the string and side-stepping along the perch. None of this would surprise ice fishermen in Finland, where hooded crows use the same pull-step-pull-step method to haul in fish on abandoned baited lines.


4

2

DOK 1

1

DOK 1

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Standard RI.8.1



Which piece of evidence shows how crows and ravens use their intelligence

to help them find, capture, and eat food?

a. The same crows nip the edges of rigid leaves to create sawlike teeth, then

shove barbed tools beneath leaf litter to spear prey.

b. They have the largest cerebral hemispheres, relative to body size, of any

birds—the raven’s brain is the same size in relation to its body as a

chimpanzee’s.

c. That crows and ravens are classified as songbirds may come as a surprise,

but it is the presence of a voice box, or syrinx, rather than talent for melody

that qualifies them.

d. You can forgive them for their overconfidence though, when you consider

their resumes.

The author makes several comparisons between ravens and crows within

the article. Write one piece of evidence that states a difference.

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5

3

DOK 2

Construct a paragraph that clearly makes an inference about crows and

ravens based on what you read in the text. Support your inference by citing

at least three of the strongest pieces of evidence.

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4

DOK 2

Explain how crows and ravens are different from one another, based on the

article. Be sure to include at least two pieces of evidence that support your

explanation.

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6

5

DOK 3

Explain how crows and ravens use their intelligence to help them find,

capture, and eat food in the article. Use two pieces of evidence to support

your answer.

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7

Bonus Question: Why do you think crows and ravens have fascinated people

for so long? Use at least (3) pieces of evidence from the text to support your

claim. _________________________________________________________________________

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* Bonus


8

Scoring Rubric RI.8.1 Assessment #1:

“Bird Brains: Amazing Crows and Ravens”

Question

/ Level

Key / Rubric Points

#1

DOK 1

Student can write one of the following sentences:

Size would seem to matter, since an average raven is far larger (2 to

4 pounds, with a wingspan up to 4 feet) than a correspondingly

average crow (1 to 1½ pounds, with a wingspan up to 3 feet).

But if you judge strictly by size, you can easily mistake a small

raven for a large crow or vice versa.

The crow’s trademark caw caw doesn’t remotely resemble the

raven’s characteristic utterance, a deep guttural crrroak or naaaaahk.

0 1

#2

DOK 1

a. The same crows nip the edges of rigid leaves to create sawlike teeth, then

shove barbed tools beneath leaf litter to spear prey.

0 1

#3

DOK 2

Model Student Response:

There are many similarities between ravens and crows, but there are also

some differences. One difference is their size. In the article it says that “an

average raven is far larger (2 to 4 pounds, with a wingspan up to 4 feet)

than a correspondingly average crow (1 to 1½ pounds, with a wingspan up

to 3 feet).” Another things that sets the two bird species apart is their calls.

Crows have their trademark “caw caw”. The raven, however, has a

completely different sound. According to the text, it is a “deep guttural

crrroak or naaaahk.

0 1 2

Student Name: ____________________________ Date of Administration: _____________

Teacher Name: ______________________________________________________________


9

SCORING:

2: Explanation contains 2 supporting details


0: Response contains no supporting details

#4

DOK 2


Crows and ravens use their intelligence to help them find, capture, and eat

food. To find food, crows make their own “crowbars.” New Caledonian

crows use twigs to create “crowbars” that help them pull out grubs. These

birds also create leaves with saw-like edges that can be used to spear prey.

SCORING:



0: Response contains no supporting details

0 1 2

#5

DOK 3

Model student Response:

Crows and ravens are intelligent birds and brilliant problem solvers; these

birds are smarter than most other animals. They can even outsmart

monkeys, because they “outperformed monkeys in some psychological

tests.” Their brains are also as big as a chimpanzee’s brain, relative to their

size: “They have the largest cerebral hemispheres, relative to body size, of

any birds—the raven’s brain is the same size in relation to its body as a

chimpanzee’s.” Don’t call them birdbrains! Ravens and crows use their

brainpower to learn, solve problems, and even remember things. They use

their skills and intelligence to survive. For example, they drop clams on

hard surfaces to break them open and create tools that help them obtain

food.

SCORING: 4 points: Makes correct inference, includes 3 pieces of evidence

3 points: Makes correct inference, includes 2 pieces of evidence

2 points: Makes correct inference, includes 1 piece of evidence

1 points: Makes correct inference, includes no evidence

0 points: Incorrect inference, no evidence included

0 1 2 3 4

#BONUS

This item is not scored and is an option for early finishers

TOTAL

____ / 10


10

15

Assessment #2 “Human Thinking, Robot Thinking”

Assessments & Reading Passages

RI 8.1

Standard RI.8.1



“Human Thinking, Robot Thinking”

By Sandy Fritz

Lexile: 1000 Word Count: 345

Before there can be an ultimate robot that learns from experiences, makes new

connections within itself, and is creative, there must be a computer program that

can trace these qualities. Scientists are at work on such a program right now.

Artificial neural networks are patterned after the human nervous system. Human

nerve cells are called neurons. Extensive pathways in the body connect neurons

together like a fisherman’s net. Where the strands come together and are tied in

knots to hold the net together could be likened to the junction points of neurons.

Neurons deliver information to the brain from other parts of the body…

Neural networks in the human body also learn from repetitive experience. People

who practice throwing a ball eventually get better and better at the task. The very

first time a baby throws a ball, the impulses are new to the nervous system. But

after repetition, the signals become recognized by the neurons…

Scientists working on artificial neural network programs for computers have

carefully modeled the behavior of the human nervous system. They have made

very simple versions of this system that use multiple pathways of information

which collect at “nodes” (artificial neurons). The program performs the same

function as neurons…

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Assessment #2: “Human Thinking, Robot Thinking” 2

Artificial neural networks are the most ambitious programing projects every

attempted. The system, like the human nervous system, “learns” through

repetitive practice...

The system will continue to try and try until the desired end result is

accomplished. Once it makes the connections that allow it to reach its desired

end result, it will remember the pathways.

The current state of artificial neural networks requires that human beings provide

feedback for the system… Artificial neural networks are told when they get a

correct or an approximately correct answer. This helps define the pathway in the

program. The system begins to learn…

The system allows computer “brains” to learn from experience. From there, it is a

small step to computers teaching themselves. And once a computer can teach

itself, it is just a matter of time, and practice, until it generates creative ideas.

Assessment #2: “Human Thinking, Robot Thinking”

3

2

DOK 1

1

DOK 1

Name: ______________________________________ Date: _________________

Standard RI.8.1



Which piece of evidence from the article best supports the idea that the

artificial neural networks are not yet as capable as human brains?

a. “And once a computer can teach itself, it is just a matter of time, and

practice, until it generates creative ideas.”

b. “Artificial neural networks are the most ambitious programing projects

every attempted.”

c. “Artificial neural networks are patterned after the human nervous system.”

d. “Once it makes the connections that allow it to reach its desired end result,

it will remember the pathways.”

Which piece of evidence from the article supports the idea that the artificial

neural networks are similar to human brains?

a. “Before there can be an ultimate robot that learns from experiences,

makes new connections within itself, and is creative, there must be a

computer program that can trace these qualities.”

b. “The current state of artificial neural networks requires that human

beings provide feedback for the system.”

c. “The system allows computer ‘brains’ to learn from experience.”

d. “Extensive pathways in the body connect neurons together like a

fisherman’s net.”


4

3

DOK 2

What are two ways scientists have used the human brain as a model for the

artificial neural network? Support your response with evidence from the

text.

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4

DOK 2

The article explains how the artificial neural network is able to “learn”.

Which two pieces of evidence gives readers information about how this

system is able to learn?

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5

5

DOK 3

According to the article, scientists are attempting to create artificial neural

networks. Explain how they are using what they know about the human brain

in order to do this, citing the three strongest pieces of evidence from the

article.

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6

Bonus Question: Using evidence from the text, explain some of the ways that

the artificial neural networks are not as advanced as the human brain.

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* Bonus


7

Scoring Rubric RI.8.1 Assessment #2:

“Human Thinking, Robot Thinking”

Question

/ Level

Key / Rubric Points

#1

DOK 1

c. The system allows computer “brains” to learn from experience.

0 1

#2

DOK 1

a. And once a computer can teach itself, it is just a matter of time, and

practice, until it generates creative ideas.

0 1

#3

DOK 2

Students may write two of the following sentences:

Once it makes the connections that allow it to reach its desired end

result, it will remember the pathways.

The current state of artificial neural networks requires that human

beings provide feedback for the system…

Artificial neural networks are told when they get a correct or an

approximately correct answer.

SCORING:

2: Selects 2 correct supporting details

1: Selects 1 correct supporting details

0: Response contains no correct supporting details

0 1 2

Student Name: ____________________________ Date of Administration: _____________

Teacher Name: ______________________________________________________________


8

#4

DOK 2

Student may list two of the following details:

The system, like the human nervous system, “learns” through

repetitive practice...

The system will continue to try and try until the desired end result is

accomplished.

Once it makes the connections that allow it to reach its desired end

result, it will remember the pathways.

The current state of artificial neural networks requires that human

beings provide feedback for the system…

Artificial neural networks are told when they get a correct or an

approximately correct answer.

This helps define the pathway in the program.

The system begins to learn…

SCORING:

2: Lists 2 correct supporting details

1: Lists 1 correct supporting detail

0: Response contains no correct supporting details

0 1 2

#5

DOK 3


Scientists are trying to create an artificial neural network that works like a

human brain. In order to do this, they have to use what they already know

about the brain so they can replicate it. The strands of the neural network

are joined together by tying knots that make it similar to the actual

junctions of neurons in the brain. The article also explains how the artificial

neural pathways will continued to try something until the wanted result in

achieved. Then, “Once it makes the connections that allow it to reach its

desired end result, it will remember the pathways.” Finally, scientists are

utilizing their knowledge of how the human brain learns to build these

artificial neural networks. They tell the computer when it is “right” or

“wrong” so it can continued to learn.

SCORING: 4 points: Provides explanation, includes 3 pieces of evidence

3 points: Provides explanation, includes 2 pieces of evidence

2 points: Provides explanation, includes 1 piece of evidence

1 points: Provides explanation includes no evidence

0 points: Incorrect/Missing explanation, no evidence included

0 1 2 3 4


9

#BONUS

This item is not scored and is an option for early finishers

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TOTAL

____ / 10


10

Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says

explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

I can evaluate and select strong textual evidence that supports an implied idea in the text.

RI.8.1

Reflect and relate:

Explain how you demonstrated improvement or mastery of this standard’s key skills in this assessment, and how you might use these skills again.

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Name: _____________________________________

quick assessments & reading passages - amazon s3 · corvidae, and particularly the crows and...

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