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Pennies


By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Chad Dorsey
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Details

Type of Product:Book Chapter
Average Rating:
 based on 3 reviews
Publication Title:Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Volume 3: Another 25 Formative Assessment Probes
Publication Date:4/1/2008
Pages:23
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School, High School
See Also:View all available chapters for this book
View the full version of this book
View the downloadable PDF version of this book


Description

The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the properties of atoms. The probe is designed to determine whether students can distinguish between the microscopic properties of an atom and the macroscopic properties of a substance or object made up of atoms. This free selection includes the Table of Contents, Preface, Introduction, and the Index.


Ideas For Use

Because this probe targets ideas related to the properties of atoms, it is most suitable for middle school and high school grades. Consider showing students a shiny new penny and, although they do not need to know the composition of new pennies for this probe, you can explain that pennies today are not made entirely of copper.

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Chemical properties
Physical properties
Gases
Liquids
Solids
Atoms
Molecules
Scientific habits of mind
Intended User Role:Curriculum Supervisor, Elementary-Level Educator, High-School Educator, Middle-Level Educator, New Teacher, Teacher
Educational Issues:Achievement, Assessment of students, Classroom management, Curriculum, Educational research, Inquiry learning, Instructional materials, Professional development, Teacher content knowledge, Teacher preparation, Teaching strategies

Technical

Resource Format:application/pdf
Size:782 KB
Requirements:Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader


National Standards Correlation

This resource has 14 correlations with the National Standards.  
[VIEW CORRELATIONS]

This resource has 14 correlations with the National Standards.  
[HIDE CORRELATIONS]

  • Physical Science
    • Properties of objects and materials
      • Objects have many observable properties, including the ability to react with other substances. (K-4)
      • Objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, and temperature. (K-4)
      • The observable properties of objects can be measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers. (K-4)
    • Structure and properties of matter
      • Atoms interact with one another by transferring or sharing electrons that are furthest from the nucleus. (9-12)
      • Outer shell electrons govern the chemical properties of the element. (9-12)
      • Solids, liquids, and gases differ in the distances and angles between molecules or atoms and therefore the energy that binds them together. (9-12)
    • Structure of atoms
      • Matter is made of minute particles called atoms, and atoms are composed of even smaller components. (9-12)
      • The components of atoms have measurable properties, such as mass and electrical charge. (9-12)
      • Each atom has a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged electrons. (9-12)
      • The atom's nucleus is composed of protons and neutrons, which are much more massive than electrons. (9-12)
  • Process Standards for Professional Development
    • Research-Based
      • Prepares educators to apply research to decision making. (NSDC)
  • Teaching Standards
    • Teachers of science plan an inquiry-based science program for their students.
      • Select teaching and assessment strategies that support the development of student understanding and nurture a community of science learners.
    • Teachers of science engage in ongoing assessment of their teaching and of student learning.
      • Analyze assessment data to guide teaching.
      • Use multiple methods and systematically gather data about student understanding and ability.


Customer Reviews
Pennies - formative assessment probe
  Reviewed by: Bambi Bailey (Tyler, TX) on February 10, 2011
  The "chapter" is actually the preface, introduction, formative assessment probe and how to use the probe with students at different grade levels. The introductory material offers information about the importance of formative assessment, how to conduct formative assessment using the probes and what additional information and resources are associated with each probe. This particular probe helps to assess students' conceptions and misconceptions about the structure of atoms. The formative assessment probes should be a standard part of the science teaching repertoire of teachers of science elementary through college.

Why and How to Use Formative Probes
  Reviewed by: Dorian Janney (Gaithersburg, MD) on January 4, 2011
  I was a bit mislead by the title and caption for this resource, as I believed it would have some ready-to-use formative probes that would help me as I assess my middle school students' possible misconceptions in the realm of chemistry. However, most of the book chapter build the case for using probes as formative assessments, and there is only one probe that is available in this chapter. It is at the very end of the rather long book chapter. While the information is interesting, many inservice etchers may be looking for ideas to put into practice rather than a fairly long article about the ins and outs of using probes as formative assessments.

Atoms Assessment Probe / Pennies
  Reviewed by: Alyce D (Peyton, CO) on October 7, 2010
  This probe is exactly what I was looking for. I will be administering the assessment prior to beginning my States of Matter / Atoms unit with 7th-8th grade. I specifically like the layout of NSTA probes with their detailed analysis of grade level conceptual understanding and common misconceptions. Ideas are stated to make this a kinesthetic experience for our special needs students.

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