NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Wet Jeans By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about where water goes right after it evaporates. It is designed to determine if students recognize that water exists in the air around us in the form of water vapor. Since students often...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about where water goes right after it evaporates. It is designed to determine if students recognize that water exists in the air around us in the form of water vapor. Since students often use the terminology of the water cycle with little understanding of actual phenomena, this probe intentionally avoids use of technical words such as evaporation and water vapor in order to examine how students think about evaporation and the water cycle. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Mountain Age By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about processes that affect the shape of mountains. While determining the relative age of mountains involves a variety of complex interacting factors, this probe is designed to determine...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about processes that affect the shape of mountains. While determining the relative age of mountains involves a variety of complex interacting factors, this probe is designed to determine if students consider weathering factors or if they intuitively believe taller mountains are older. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Functions of Living Things By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the functions carried out by plants and animals for maintaining life. The task specifically seeks to find out if students recognize that plants and animals share several common life...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the functions carried out by plants and animals for maintaining life. The task specifically seeks to find out if students recognize that plants and animals share several common life functions, even though they are seemingly very different organisms. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Is It Made of Cells? By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about objects and materials that are made up of cells. The probe is designed to find out how students decide whether something is or was once made up of cells by providing a variety of...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about objects and materials that are made up of cells. The probe is designed to find out how students decide whether something is or was once made up of cells by providing a variety of examples, including living and once-living things, materials that are manufactured by cells but are not composed of cells, parts of a cell, inorganic substances that did not originate from cells, and building blocks of all matter. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Apple in the Dark By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about how we see objects. The probe is designed to find out if students know that light must be reflected off an object and enter the eye in order for a non-light-emitting object to be...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about how we see objects. The probe is designed to find out if students know that light must be reflected off an object and enter the eye in order for a non-light-emitting object to be visible. The probe helps teachers identify various conceptual models students use to link the role of light to vision. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

The Nature of Science By: Steven W. Gilbert A chapter from Models-Based Science Teaching Average User Rating: This chapter will provide you, as a teacher, with an overview of science: where it comes from, what it is, and how it relates to the MBST model. The chapter begins by defining science and exploring its relationship with its first cousin, technology. The...  [view full summary] This chapter will provide you, as a teacher, with an overview of science: where it comes from, what it is, and how it relates to the MBST model. The chapter begins by defining science and exploring its relationship with its first cousin, technology. The two fields are often confused. The author lays out reasons for keeping them separate. We will go on to discuss the history and development of science to provide a context for science in modern society. Finally, the author presents a brief model of the practices of science today. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Birthday Candles By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about how light travels outward from its source. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that light will travel outward from its source, generally in a straight line regardless...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about how light travels outward from its source. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that light will travel outward from its source, generally in a straight line regardless of distance, until it comes in contact with matter that may change its direction. It also helps determine if students recognize there is light in the space between the visible part of an object that they can clearly detect (the flame) and their eyes. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Building Models in the Classroom By: Steven W. Gilbert A chapter from Models-Based Science Teaching Average User Rating: In this chapter, the author will go into more detail about using MBST in the lab and field, focusing on the practical concerns and techniques of model building in the science classroom. In this chapter, the author will go into more detail about using MBST in the lab and field, focusing on the practical concerns and techniques of model building in the science classroom. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Classifying Birds in the United States By: Victor Sampson and Sharon Schleigh A chapter from Scientific Argumentation in Biology: 30 Classroom Activities Average User Rating: The purpose of the activity, in this chapter, is to help students understand (1) what counts as a species in the field of biology, (2) some of the various definitions for species that can be used by biologists, and (3) the challenges associated with bio-...  [view full summary] The purpose of the activity, in this chapter, is to help students understand (1) what counts as a species in the field of biology, (2) some of the various definitions for species that can be used by biologists, and (3) the challenges associated with bio- logical classification. This activity also helps students learn how to engage in practices such as constructing explanations, arguing from evidence, and communicating information. This activity is also designed to give students an opportunity to learn how to write in science and develop their speaking and listening skills, which are important goals for literacy in science. This sample chapter also includes the Table of Contents, Preface, Introduction, and Index. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School, High School

Going Through a Phase By: Page Keeley, Francis Eberle, and Lynn Farrin A chapter from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science: 25 Formative Assessment Probes, Volume 1 Average User Rating: The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas as to what accounts for the phases of the Moon. It is designed to find out if students recognize the role of light reflection and the positional relationship between the Earth, Moon, and...  [view full summary] The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas as to what accounts for the phases of the Moon. It is designed to find out if students recognize the role of light reflection and the positional relationship between the Earth, Moon, and Sun in understanding why we see different phases of the Moon. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School