Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science, Volume 3: 32 New Matter and Energy Formative Assessment Probes

Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science, Volume 3 offers 32 new formative assessment probes to help you understand how your students (and even you!) think about matter and energy core ideas. The 11th book in the Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series (see pp. 22-23), this volume delivers the same teacher-friendly features that have made the series a bestseller among educators at all grade levels. It also provides all 32 probes in both Spanish and English. This new volume is organized into four sections: (1) the concept of matter and particle model of matter; (2) properties of matter; (3) classifying matter, chemical properties, and chemical reactions; and (4) nuclear processes and energy. The probes are short and easy to administer. They’ll help you uncover students’ existing beliefs about everything from a particle model of matter to ways of describing energy.

Armed with insights into your students’ thinking, you can use the teacher materials to make informed instructional decisions. Because the content is explained in clear, everyday language, science novices can improve their own understanding of the content they teach. With Uncovering Student Ideas in Physical Science, Volume 3, you’ll be ready for the important next step: choosing the instructional path that will work best with your learning goal, your students’ preconceptions, and the diverse learners in your classroom.