TIMSS Science Teacher Questionnaire - Grade 8

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Label Here

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Teacher ID

TIMSS 2011

Subject

Link Number

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Teacher
Questionnaire
Science
Grade 8
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K St., NW
Washington, DC 20006

© IEA, 2011
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number
for this information collection is 1850-0645. Approval expires XX/XX/2011. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including the time to review
instructions, search existing data resources, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate(s) or suggestions
for improving the survey instrument, please write to: U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C. 20202-4537. If you have any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual response to
this survey, write directly to: National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 K Street, N.W., Room 9034, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Teacher Questionnaire
NCES is authorized to collect information from the

Your school has agreed to participate in TIMSS
2011 (Trends in International Mathematics and Science

questionnaire under the Education Sciences Reform

Study), an educational research project sponsored

Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-279, Section 153). You

by the International Association for the Evaluation of

do not have to provide the information requested.

Educational Achievement (IEA). TIMSS measures trends

However, the information you provide will help the

in student achievement in mathematics and science

U.S. Department of Education’s ongoing efforts to

and studies differences in national education systems

understand better how the educational system in the

in more than 60 countries in order to help improve

United States compares to that in other countries.

teaching and learning worldwide.

There are no penalties should you choose not to
participate in this study. Your answers may be used only

This questionnaire is addressed to teachers of
eighth-grade students, and seeks information about

for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or

teachers’ academic and professional backgrounds,

used, in identifiable form for any other purpose (Public

classroom resources, instructional practices, and

Law 107-279, Section 183 and Title V, subtitle A of the

attitudes toward teaching. Since your class has been

E-Government Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-347)). Your response

selected as part of a nationwide sample, your responses

will be combined with those from other participants to

are very important in helping to describe eighth-grade

produce summary statistics and reports.
This survey is estimated to take an average of 30

education in the United States.

minutes, including time for reviewing instructions,

Some of the questions in the questionnaire refer to
the “TIMSS class” or “this class”. This is the class that is

and completing and reviewing the collection of

identified on the front of this booklet, and which will

information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor,

be tested as part of TIMSS in your school. If you teach

and a person is not required to respond to, a collection

some but not all of the students in the TIMSS class,

of information unless it displays a currently valid

please think only of the students that you teach when

OMB control number. Send comments regarding this

answering these class-specific questions. It is important

burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection

that you answer each question carefully so that the

of information, including suggestions for reducing

information that you provide reflects your situation as

this burden, to: Stephen Provasnik, National Center

accurately as possible.

for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education,

Since TIMSS is an international study and all
countries are using the same questionnaire, you may

1990 K Street NW, Room 9034, Washington, DC 200065650. Do not return the completed form to this address.

find that some of the questions seem unusual or are
not entirely relevant to you or schools in the United
States. Nevertheless, it is important that you do your

Thank you.

best to answer all of the questions so comparisons can
be made across countries in the studies.
It is estimated that you will need approximately 30
minutes to complete this questionnaire. We appreciate
the time and effort that this takes and thank you for
your cooperation and contribution.

If you have already completed Questions 1
through 11 in another TIMSS Science Teacher
Questionnaire, please skip to Question 12 in
this Questionnaire.

When you have completed the questionnaire,
please return it to the TIMSS school coordinator.

TIMSS 2011

About You

1

5

By the end of this school year, how many years will
you have been teaching altogether?

During your college or university education, what
was your major or main area(s) of study?
Fill in one circle for each line.

_____________ years

Please round to the nearest whole number.

Yes

No

a) Mathematics -------------------------------------- 1 2

2

b) Biology -------------------------------------------- 1 2

Are you female or male?
Fill in one circle only.

c) Physics -------------------------------------------- 1 2

Female---- 1

d) Chemistry ----------------------------------------- 1 2

Male---- 2

e) Earth Science ------------------------------------- 1 2
f) Education–Mathematics ------------------------- 1 2

3

g) Education–Science ------------------------------- 1 2

How old are you?

h) Education–General ------------------------------- 1 2
Fill in one circle only.

Under 25---- 1

25–29---- 2

30–39---- 3

40–49---- 4

50–59---- 5

60 or more---- 6

i) Other ---------------------------------------------- 1 2

4
What is the highest level of formal education you
have completed?
Fill in one circle only.

Did not complete high school---- 1

Completed high school---- 2

Completed a vocational/technical
certificate after high school---- 3

Completed an Associate’s degree (AA) in

vocational/technical program---- 4

Completed an academic Associate’s
degree (AA) or Bachelor’s degree---- 5

C ompleted an academic Master’s degree,
postgraduate certificate program (e.g.,
teaching) or first professional degree

(e.g., law, medicine, dentistry)---- 6
Completed a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D)---- 7
Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

3

About Your School

7

6

Thinking about your current school, indicate the
extent to which you agree or disagree with each of
the following statements.

How would you characterize each of the following
within your school?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Fill in one circle for each line.

Very high

Agree a lot

High

Medium

Low

Agree a little

Very
low

a) Teachers’ job
satisfaction --------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

b) I feel safe at this school --------- 1 2 3 4
c) This school’s security policies
and practices are sufficient ----- 1 2 3 4

c) Teachers’ degree of
success in implementing
the school’s curriculum --------- 1 2 3 4 5

d) The students behave in an
orderly manner ----------------- 1 2 3 4

d) Teachers’ expectations
for student
achievement -------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

f) Parental involvement
in school activities -------------- 1 2 3 4 5
g) Students’ regard for
school property ----------------- 1 2 3 4 5
h) Students’ desire to do
well in school ------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

Disagree
a lot

a) This school is located in
a safe neighborhood ----------- 1 2 3 4

b) Teachers’ understanding
of the school’s curricular
goals ---------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

e) Parental support for
student achievement ----------- 1 2 3 4 5

Disagree a little

e) The students are respectful
of the teachers ------------------ 1 2 3 4

8
In your current school, how severe is each problem?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not a problem

Minor problem
Moderate problem

Serious
problem

a) The school building needs
significant repair --------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Classrooms are overcrowded --- 1 2 3 4
c) Teachers have too many
teaching hours ------------------ 1 2 3 4
d) Teachers do not have
adequate workspace for
preparation, collaboration,
or meeting with students ------ 1 2 3 4
e) Teachers do not have
adequate instructional
materials and supplies --------- 1 2 3 4

4

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

About Being a Teacher

9

10

A. Do you use computers in your teaching in any of
the following ways?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Yes

How often do you have the following types of
interactions with other teachers?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Never or almost never

No

2 or 3 times per month

a) For preparation ----------------------------------- 1 2

b) For administration -------------------------------- 1 2

c) In your classroom instruction -------------------- 1 2

B. How much do you agree with the following
statements about using computers in your
classroom instruction?

a) Discuss how to teach
a particular topic --------------- 1 2 3 4

c) Share what I have
learned about my
teaching experiences ----------- 1 2 3 4

Fill in one circle for each line.
Agree a lot

Daily or
almost
daily

b) Collaborate in planning
and preparing instructional
materials ------------------------ 1 2 3 4

If Yes to “classroom instruction”

1–3 times
per week

Agree a little
Disagree a little

d) Visit another classroom
to learn more about teaching -- 1 2 3 4
e) Work together to
try out new ideas --------------- 1 2 3 4

Disagree
a lot

a) I feel comfortable using
computers in my teaching ----- 1 2 3 4
b) When I have technical
problems, I have ready
access to computer
support staff in my school ------ 1 2 3 4
c) I receive adequate
support for integrating
computers in my
teaching activities -------------- 1 2 3 4

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

5

About Teaching the TIMSS Class

11

12

How much do you agree with the following
statements?

How many students are in this class?
_____________ students

Fill in one circle for each line.

Write in a number.

Agree a lot

Agree a little
Disagree a little

Disagree
a lot

13
How many eighth-grade students experience
difficulties understanding spoken English?

a) I am content with my
profession as a teacher --------- 1 2 3 4

_____________ students in this class

b) I am satisfied with being a
teacher at this school ----------- 1 2 3 4

Write in a number.

c) I had more enthusiasm when
I began teaching than I
have now ----------------------- 1 2 3 4
d) I do important work as
a teacher ------------------------ 1 2 3 4
e) I plan to continue as a
teacher for as long as I can ----- 1 2 3 4
f) I am frustrated as a teacher ---- 1 2 3 4

14
How often do you do the following in teaching this
class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every lesson

About half the lessons
Some lessons

Never

a) Summarize what students
should have learned from
the lesson - --------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Relate the lesson to
students’ daily lives ------------ 1 2 3 4
c) Use questioning to elicit
reasons and explanations ------ 1 2 3 4
d) Encourage all students to
improve their performance ---- 1 2 3 4
e) Praise students for
good effort --------------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Bring interesting materials
to class -------------------------- 1 2 3 4

6

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

15

16
In your view, to what extent do the following limit
how you teach this class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not applicable

For the typical student in this class, how often do
you do these things?
Fill in one circle for each line.
At least once a week

Not at all

Some

Once or twice a month

A lot

a) Students lacking
prerequisite knowledge
or skills ------------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Students suffering from
lack of basic nutrition ---------- 1 2 3 4
c) Students suffering from
not enough sleep -------------- 1 2 3 4

4–6 times a year

1–3 times
a year

Never

a) Meet or talk individually
with the student’s parents
to discuss his/her
learning progress --------------- 1 2 3 4 5
b) Send home a progress
report on the student’s
learning ------------------------ 1 2 3 4 5

d) Students with special needs
(e.g., physical disabilities,
mental or emotional/
psychological impairment) ---- 1 2 3 4
e) Disruptive students ------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Uninterested students ---------- 1 2 3 4

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

7

Teaching Science to the TIMSS
Class

Questions 17–19 ask about science instruction
for the eighth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

19
In teaching science to the students in this class, how
often do you usually ask them to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every lesson

17

In a typical week, how much time do you spend
teaching science to the students in this class?
___________hours and ___________minutes per week
Write in the hours and minutes.

About half the lessons
Some lessons

Never

a) Observe natural phenomena
and describe what they see ---- 1 2 3 4
b) Watch me demonstrate
an experiment or
investigation -------------------- 1 2 3 4

18
In teaching science to this class, how confident do
you feel to do the following?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Very confident

Somewhat confident
Not confident

c) Design or plan experiments
or investigations ---------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Conduct experiments or
investigations ------------------- 1 2 3 4
e) Read their textbooks or
other resource materials ------- 1 2 3 4

a) Answer students’ questions
about science ------------------- 1 2 3

f) Have students memorize
facts and principles ------------- 1 2 3 4

b) Explain science concepts
or principles by doing
science experiments ------------ 1 2 3

g) Use scientific formulas and
laws to solve routine
problems ------------------------ 1 2 3 4

c) Provide challenging tasks
for capable students ------------ 1 2 3

h) Give explanations about
something they are
studying ------------------------ 1 2 3 4

d) Adapt my teaching to
engage students’ interest ------ 1 2 3
e) Help students appreciate
the value of learning
science -------------------------- 1 2 3

i) Relate what they are
learning in science to
their daily lives ----------------- 1 2 3 4
j) Do field work outside of class -- 1 2 3 4
k) Take a written test or quiz ------ 1 2 3 4

8

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

 20
Which best describes the science course you are
teaching to the class with the TIMSS students?
Fill in one circle only.

a) General science (several content
areas of science taught separately)----- 1
b) Integrated science (several content
areas of science combined and taught
together throughout the year)--------- 2
c) Life science (e.g., biology,
ecosystems, human health)------------ 3
d) Physical science (e.g.,
physics or chemistry)------------------- 4
e) Earth science (e.g., geology, Earth
and the solar system, fossils)----------- 5

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

9

Resources for Teaching Science

Questions 21–22 ask about resources for
teaching science to the eighth-grade students in
the TIMSS class.

22
A. Do the students in this class have computer(s)
available to use during their science lessons?
Fill in one circle only.

21

Yes---- 1

No---- 2

(If No, go to #23)

When you teach science to this class, how do you
use the following resources?

If Yes,

Fill in one circle for each line.
Basis for instruction

Supplement

B. Do any of the computer(s) have access to the
Internet?

Not used

Fill in one circle only.

a) Textbooks ----------------------- 1 2 3

Yes---- 1

b) Workbooks or
worksheets --------------------- 1 2 3

No---- 2

c) Science equipment and
materials ------------------------ 1 2 3
d) Computer software for
science instruction-------------- 1 2 3
e) Reference materials (e.g.,
encyclopedia, dictionary) ------ 1 2 3

C. How often do you have the students do the
following computer activities during science
lessons?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Every or almost every day

Once or twice a week
Once or twice a
month

Never or
almost
never

a) Practice skills and
procedures ---------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Look up ideas and
information --------------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Do scientific procedures
or experiments ----------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Study natural phenomena
through simulations ------------ 1 2 3 4
e) Process and analyze data ------- 1 2 3 4

10

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

Science Topics Taught
Questions 23–24 ask about the topics taught and the content covered in teaching science
to the eighth-grade students in the TIMSS class

23
The following list includes the main topics addressed by the TIMSS science test. Choose the response that best
describes when the students in this class have been taught each topic. If a topic was in the curriculum before
the eighth grade, please choose “Mostly taught before this year.” If a topic was taught half this year but not yet
completed, please choose “Mostly taught this year.” If a topic is not in the curriculum, please choose “Not yet
taught or just introduced.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Mostly taught before this year
Mostly taught this year
Not yet taught or
just introduced

A. Biology

a) Major organs and organ systems in humans and other organisms (structure/function, life processes that
maintain stable bodily conditions) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
b) Cells and their functions, including respiration and photosynthesis as cellular processes ---------------------------------- 1 2 3
c) Reproduction (sexual and asexual) and heredity (passing on of traits, inherited versus acquired/learned
characteristics) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
d) Role of variation and adaptation in survival/extinction of species in a changing environment ---------------------------- 1 2 3
e) Interdependence of populations of organisms in an ecosystem (e.g., energy flow, food webs, competition,
predation) and the impact of changes in the physical environment on populations (e.g., climate, water supply) --------- 1 2 3
f) Reasons for increase in world’s human population (e.g., advances in medicine, sanitation), and
the effects of population growth on the environment ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
g) Human health (causes of infectious diseases, methods of infection, prevention, immunity) and the importance
of diet and exercise in maintaining health - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
B. Chemistry

a) Classification, composition, and particulate structure of matter (elements, compounds, mixtures, molecules,
atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
b) Solutions (solvent, solute, concentration/dilution, effect of temperature on solubility) ------------------------------------ 1 2 3
c) Properties and uses of common acids and bases ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
d) Chemical change (transformation of reactants, evidence of chemical change, conservation of matter,
common oxidation reactions – combustion, rusting, tarnishing) - ---------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

11

23 (continued)
The following list includes the main topics addressed by the TIMSS science test. Choose the response that best
describes when the students in this class have been taught each topic. If a topic was in the curriculum before
the eighth grade, please choose “Mostly taught before this year.” If a topic was taught half this year but not yet
completed, please choose “Mostly taught this year.” If a topic is not in the curriculum, please choose “Not yet
taught or just introduced.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Mostly taught before this year
Mostly taught this year
Not yet taught or
just introduced

C. Physics

a) Physical states and changes in matter (explanations of properties in terms of movement and distance
between particles; phase change, thermal expansion, and changes in volume and/or pressure) -------------------------- 1 2 3
b) Energy forms, transformations, heat, and temperature ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
c) Basic properties/behaviors of light (reflection, refraction, light and color, simple ray diagrams)
and sound (transmission through media, loudness, pitch, amplitude, frequency, relative speed of light
and sound) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
d) Electric circuits (flow of current; types of circuits - parallel/series; current/voltage relationship) and properties
and uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
e) Forces and motion (types of forces, basic description of motion, effects of density and pressure) - ------------------------ 1 2 3
D. Earth Science

a) Earth’s structure and physical features (Earth’s crust, mantle and core; composition and relative distribution
of water, and composition of air) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
b) Earth’s processes, cycles and history (rock cycle; water cycle; weather patterns; major geological events;
formation of fossils and fossil fuels) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 2 3
c) Earth’s resources, their use and conservation (e.g., renewable/nonrenewable resources, human use of
land/soil, water resources) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3
d) Earth in the solar system and the universe (phenomena on Earth - day/night, tides, phases of moon, eclipses,
seasons; physical features of Earth compared to other bodies; the Sun as a star) ------------------------------------------- 1 2 3

12

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

Science Content Coverage

24
By the end of this school year, approximately what
percentage of teaching time will you have spent
during this school year on each of the following
science content areas for the students in this class?
Write in the percentage for each.

a) Biology (e.g., structure/function;
life processes, reproduction/heredity,
natural selection; ecosystems,
human health)------------------------------------------- _____%
b) Chemistry (e.g., classification,
composition and properties
of matter; chemical change)----------------------------- _____%
c) Physics (e.g., physical states/
changes in matter; energy;
light; sound; electricity
and magnetism;
forces and motion)--------------------------------------- _____%
d) Earth science (e.g., Earth’s
structure, processes, and resources;
the solar system and universe)-------------------------- _____%
e) Other----------------------------------------------------- _____%

Total = 100%

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

13

Science Homework

Question 25 asks about science homework for
the eighth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

C. How often do you do the following with the
science homework assignments for this class?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Always or almost always

25
A. How often do you usually assign science
homework to the students in this class?
Fill in one circle only.

I do not assign science
homework----
1

- (If No, go to #26)
Less than once a week---- 2
1 or 2 times a week---- 3
3 or 4 times a week---- 4
Every day---- 5

B. When you assign science homework to the
students in this class, about how many minutes
do you usually assign? (Consider the time it would
take an average student in your class.)
Fill in one circle only.

14

15 minutes or less---- 1

16–30 minutes---- 2

31–60 minutes---- 3

61–90 minutes---- 4

More than 90 minutes---- 5

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

Sometimes
Never or
almost never

a) Correct assignments and
give feedback to students ------ 1 2 3
b) Have students correct
their own homework ----------- 1 2 3
c) Discuss the homework
in class -------------------------- 1 2 3
d) Monitor whether or not the
homework was completed ----- 1 2 3
e) Use the homework to
contribute towards
students’ grades or marks ------ 1 2 3

Science Assessment

Questions 26–28 ask about science assessment
for the eighth-grade students in the TIMSS class.

28
How often do you include the following types of
questions in your science tests or examinations?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Always or almost always

26

How much emphasis do you place on the following
sources to monitor students’ progress in science?
Fill in one circle for each line.
Major emphasis

Some emphasis
Little or no
emphasis

a) Evaluation of students’
ongoing work ------------------- 1 2 3
b) Classroom tests (for
example, teacher-made or
textbook tests) - ---------------- 1 2 3
c) State or district
achievement tests -------------- 1 2 3

Sometimes

Never or
almost never

a) Questions based on
knowing facts and concepts ---- 1 2 3
b) Questions based on the
application of knowledge
and understanding ------------- 1 2 3
c) Questions involving
developing hypotheses and
designing scientific
investigations ------------------- 1 2 3
d) Questions requiring
explanations or
justifications -------------------- 1 2 3

27
How often do you give a science test or examination
to this class?
Fill in one circle only.

About once a week---- 1

About every two weeks---- 2

About once a month---- 3

A few times a year---- 4

Never---- 5

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

15

Preparation to Teach Science

29
In the past two years, have you participated
in professional development in any of the
following?
Fill in one circle for each line.

Yes

No

a) Science content ----------------------------------- 1 2
b) Science pedagogy/instruction ------------------- 1 2
c) Science curriculum ------------------------------- 1 2
d) Integrating information technology
into science --------------------------------------- 1 2
e) Improving students’ critical thinking or
inquiry skills -------------------------------------- 1 2
f) Science assessment ------------------------------- 1 2
g) Addressing individual students’ needs ----------- 1 2

16

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

30
How well prepared do you feel you are to teach the following science topics?
If a topic is not in the eighth-grade curriculum or you are not responsible for teaching this topic you may choose
“Not applicable.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not applicable
Very well prepared
Somewhat
prepared
Not well
prepared

A. Biology

a) Major organs and organ systems in humans and other organisms (structure/function, life processes that
maintain stable bodily conditions) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Cells and their functions, including respiration and photosynthesis as cellular processes ---------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Reproduction (sexual and asexual) and heredity (passing on of traits, inherited versus acquired/learned
characteristics) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Role of variation and adaptation in survival/extinction of species in a changing environment ---------------------------- 1 2 3 4
e) Interdependence of populations of organisms in an ecosystem (e.g., energy flow, food webs,
competition, predation) and the impact of changes in the physical environment on populations (e.g.,
climate, water supply) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
f) Reasons for increase in world’s human population (e.g., advances in medicine, sanitation), and
the effects of population growth on the environment ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
g) Human health (causes of infectious diseases, methods of infection, prevention, immunity) and the importance
of diet and exercise in maintaining health - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
B. Chemistry

a) Classification, composition, and particulate structure of matter (elements, compounds, mixtures, molecules,
atoms, protons, neutrons, electrons) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Solutions (solvent, solute, concentration/dilution, effect of temperature on solubility) ------------------------------------ 1 2 3 4
c) Properties and uses of common acids and bases ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Chemical change (transformation of reactants, evidence of chemical change, conservation of matter,
common oxidation reactions – combustion, rusting, tarnishing) - ---------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

17

30 (continued)
How well prepared do you feel you are to teach the following science topics?
If a topic is not in the eighth-grade curriculum or you are not responsible for teaching this topic you may choose
“Not applicable.”
Fill in one circle for each line.
Not applicable
Very well prepared
Somewhat
prepared
Not well
prepared

C. Physics

a) Physical states and changes in matter (explanations of properties in terms of movement and distance
between particles; phase change, thermal expansion, and changes in volume and/or pressure) -------------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Energy forms, transformations, heat, and temperature ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
c) Basic properties/behaviors of light (reflection, refraction, light and color, simple ray diagrams)
and sound (transmission through media, loudness, pitch, amplitude, frequency, relative speed of light
and sound) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Electric circuits (flow of current; types of circuits - parallel/series; current/voltage relationship) and properties
and uses of permanent magnets and electromagnets ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
e) Forces and motion (types of forces, basic description of motion, effects of density and pressure) - ------------------------ 1 2 3 4
D. Earth Science

a) Earth’s structure and physical features (Earth’s crust, mantle and core; composition and relative distribution
of water, and composition of air) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
b) Earth’s processes, cycles and history (rock cycle; water cycle; weather patterns; major geological events;
formation of fossils and fossil fuels) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 2 3 4
c) Earth’s resources, their use and conservation (e.g., renewable/nonrenewable resources, human use of
land/soil, water resources) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4
d) Earth in the solar system and the universe (phenomena on Earth - day/night, tides, phases of moon, eclipses,
seasons; physical features of Earth compared to other bodies; the Sun as a star) ------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4

18

Grade 8 Teacher Questionnaire – Science

Thank You
Thank you for the thought, time, and effort you have
put into completing this questionnaire.

timssandpirls.bc.edu

TIMSS 2011
Teacher
Questionnaire
Science

Grade 8

© IEA, 2011
International Association
for the Evaluation of
Educational Achievement