Reviewed by Deb McNabney
Science Educator - retired
Science teachers are constantly challenged to untangle knots of confusion about concepts in students. Uncovering Student Ideas in Astronomy, the newest in the series, will kickstart the process. Its 45 diagnostic formative assessment probes provide a snapshot of student thinking and preconceptions, a necessary prerequisite to reshaping thinking.
The book is divided into five sections including; The Nature of Planet Earth; The Sun–Earth System; Modeling the Moon; Dynamic Solar System; and Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe. Each section contains 6–12 probes as well as administration suggestions, related research, instructional considerations, and references. Uncovering Student Ideas in Astronomy achieves excellence with its thoroughness, content accuracy, relevance, and ease of use.
Elementary and middle school science teachers, as well as high school Earth and Space and Astronomy teachers, can use this powerful resource as a classroom tool and a personal primer for concept review. It would also serve well as a professional development resource. In fact, this reviewer was chagrined to diagnosis a number of incorrect moon phase preconceptions. I'll be digging out a flashlight and a tennis ball to untangle some knots of my own!
Review posted on 6/13/2012
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