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  • Are They Talking About Climate or Weather?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about climate. The probe is designed to find out whether students distinguish between weather and climate. It is important that students understand that…

  • What Are the Signs of Global Warming?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about signs of global warming. The probe is designed to determine whether students think a statement is accurate or complete enough to see direct…

  • How Old Is the Earth?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about Earth’s history. The probe is designed to reveal how old students think Earth is. It is important that students include in their explanation the…

  • Is It a Fossil?

    Book Chapter |

    Fossils provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments. The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about fossils. The probe is…

  • Sedimentary Rock Layers

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about layers of sedimentary rock. The probe is designed to find out how students think about the age of rock layers. It is best used with grades 6–12,…

  • Is It Erosion?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about erosion. The probe is designed to find out whether students can distinguish between erosion and weathering. When rock material is broken down or…

  • Can a Plant Break Rocks?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about weathering. The probe is designed to find out whether students recognize that plants, including small plants, can cause weathering of rock. Plant…

  • Grand Canyon

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about the formation of the Grand Canyon and is specific to the Grand Canyon. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize the role of rivers…

  • Mountains and Beaches

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about processes that change Earth. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize that the sand on many beaches results from weathering of rock…

  • How Do Rivers Form?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about rivers. The probe is designed to find out how students think most rivers formed and can be used with grades 3–12. It is helpful to show a…

  • What is the Inside of Earth Like?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about Earth’s structure. The probe is designed to find out if students recognize Earth’s interior is made up of layers and is mostly solid. It is best…

  • Describing Earth’s Plates

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about Earth’s tectonic plates. The probe is designed to uncover commonly held misconceptions about Earth’s plates. Plate tectonics is the unifying theory…

  • Where Do You Find the Earth’s Plates?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about Earth’s plates. The probe is designed to find out where students think tectonic plates are located. Earth is composed of several major, large…

  • What Do You Know About Volcanoes and Earthquakes?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about plate tectonic features and events. The probe is designed to uncover commonly held misconceptions about volcanoes and earthquakes. If students…

  • Renewable or Nonrenewable?

    Book Chapter |

    The purpose of this assessment probe is to elicit students’ ideas about Earth’s natural resources. The probe is designed to find out if students can distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable natural resources. It…

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