EVALUACIN DIAGNSTICA

ASIGNATURA: Natural Sciences (Biology)

CURSO/GRADO:

Octavo de Bsica

FECHA:

AO LECTIVO:

2015 - 2016

NOMBRES DEL/LA ALUMNO/A:

NOMBRES DEL/LA PROFESOR/A:

John Osborne

INSTRUCCIONES:
1. This diagnostic test has two parts:
1) Preparation (40 mins)
2) Action (40 mins)
2. The evaluation is of:
1) English reading, following instructions and writing some conclusions
2) Natural sciences the scientific process and conducting an investigation
3. This evaluation will help differentiate the teaching of the group, according to
individual abilities and levels
CLEVER WOODLICE!
Woodlice are common little grey creatures. They are found in large numbers
beneath rocks and stones or under piles of dead leaves and grass. Like all
animals and plants, they are adapted to their habitat and prefer to live in dark,
damp places, out of sight.
Woodlice are intelligent! Not only do they know how to choose dark, damp places, out of sight, they
seem to know what to do when they have to make choices in a simple maze.
Your tasks will be
PREPARATION
1. Build a simple T-choice maze, following instructions
2. Read the instructions for how to do the investigation
3. Decide a hypothesis, write it down and justify why you have decided on this hypothesis
ACTION
Using your simple T-choice maze, investigate how the woodlice behave, recording the results in the
results table.

CONCLUSION & EVALUATION

1. Write down whether you support or reject your hypothesis, and write an explanation.
2. Write down three things which were not well done in your investigation and how you could
improve the investigation.

MAKING THE MAZE

Use the template and construct the T-choice maze, according to the instructions. With the little
barriers you also make, you will be able to force the woodlice to make a first turn to the left or right.
A few centimetres later, they will have to make another choice, left or right. This is the interesting
one!

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE WOODLICE TO DO?

You will encourage the woodlice to walk up the first, long part of the maze. When they reach the top,
they will choose to go either to the left or right. The woodlice will then continue on their way, before
coming to a second choice, left or right. What will they do now? That is the BIG question! Will they
turn the same way as previously (ie left and left again, or right and right again) all will they alternate
(left and then right or right and then left)?

HYPOTHESIS
1. Complete this hypothesis statement:

The woodlice will choose to turn the .. (same or different) direction as

the direction they took in their first choice.

2. Write why you have chosen this hypothesis. (Write one or two short sentences, justifying
your hypothesis.)

ACTION
Conduct the investigation with maybe 10 woodlice. If you have time for more, even better!
Record all your results in the RESULTS TABLE.

RESULTS TABLE

Trial#

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

First choice: Left (L) or

Right (R)

Second choice (L or R)

Was the second

choice the same ()
or different ()as the
first

TOTALS
What was the total number of woodlice tested?

How many woodlice made the same second turn choice as their first choice?

How many woodlice made a different second turn choice?

CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION

1. CONCLUSION

Look back at your hypothesis and now write whether it is supported or rejected.
The hypothesis is (supported or rejected)

2. EVALUATION
a) Write down three aspects of your investigation which were not satisfactory things you did
not do well or properly
1)

2)

3)

b) Write down three ways in which you might improve the way in which the investigation could
be done. (Look at what you wrote previously and suggest an improvement.)
1)

2)

3)