Understanding Student Thoughts

Some formative assessments are used to guide a discussion. In the one called “Emmy’s Moon and Stars” the teacher learns about student’s understanding of the position of objects (moon and st... See More

Some formative assessments are used to guide a discussion. In the one called “Emmy’s Moon and Stars” the teacher learns about student’s understanding of the position of objects (moon and stars) in the night sky in relationship to the Earth. This assessment contains both a multiple choice section and an open ended question where students explain why they selected what they selected. Further reading demonstrates how this probe can be used in a 5th or 6th grade class.

Students explaining their thinking about stars

Scale and distance of celestial objects are difficult concepts for students. In this Science and Children article author Page Keeley discusses the use of the formative assessment probe "Wher... See More

Scale and distance of celestial objects are difficult concepts for students. In this Science and Children article author Page Keeley discusses the use of the formative assessment probe "Where are the Stars' with students. When students respond with their answers to this probe, it is important to elicit their thinking and reasoning behind their choice. Most important to have students share their thinking with you.