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I am a senior in college and I am teaching a science lesson to kindergartners about misconceptions on plants and their growth. I have to interview two students by asking them twelve knowledge based questions and I would love some feedback on possible questions to ask that would be appropriate for their age level.

Hi! Here are some questions you could ask the students about plants! -What do plants need to grow? -What are the parts of a plant? (roots, stem, etc.) -Why do we need plants? -What do plants eat? Thanks!!!

Hi Taylor, This may be a more indirect approach to your question but I may have a resource that can help answer your question. Here are some links to the YouTube Channel that I have been developing. It is called FunScienceDemos and it has hundreds of free, common core aligned, fun video demonstrations for every idea students should know. Here are some on plants! Flowers, Seeds, and The Life Cycle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_JAqupuEI8 What Do Plants Need To Grow? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOQHB3lRK-8 Why Do Leaves Change Color https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ars07SEi7oQ Hope this is helpful! Best, Dr. George Mehler Ed.D., Temple University

If you would like to focus on the NGSS standard, "K-LS1-1.Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive” I would recommend that you start with the simple question of, "What do plants need to grow?” and ask additional probing questions based on their responses. For example if they say air, water, soil, etc… elaborate on their responses and ask them “why do plants need air?” or "what would happen if plants did not have water?" Goodluck!

I just did a unit on this for my kindergartners. Some questions I had asked were, "What do you think plants need to grow?" "What do you think happens if a plant doesn't get what it needs?" One of the students told me that a plant is not alive. This is a very common misconception in kindergartners. You can clarify this with them and explain why as well.