Grade 8 Science and Complex Thinking Guide - CAST Practice

Many of the questions that are found on the Grade 8 2018-2019 CAST Practice Test can be answered by taking the time to carefully analyze the graphics or other information provided with each item and then using logical thinking processes to determine the correct answer.

1. Teachers can display a problem so that all students can see the information.

2. Students could work with partners, spending time discussing:

a) what is given b) what they know, and c) what they need to find out.

3. Students could then share out their thinking so that the whole group can benefit

from the various ways of "attacking" the problem.

Students gradually gain confidence in working with unknown problem situations - confidence that, through analysis and careful thinking, they can correctly determine the answer to the question asked. Students will also be sharing out what they know about "real-life" science facts. These items could be used, one per day, prior to either Science instruction or ELA instruction involving comprehension of informational text. Answer Key is found on pages 29 and 30.