Download Uncovering Student Ideas in Science

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science
Index of Formative Assessment Probes Connecting to
Georgia Performance Standards for 6th Grade Earth & Space Science
S6E1. Students will explore current scientific views of the universe and how
those views evolved.
a. Relate the Nature of Science to the progression of basic historical scientific models
(geocentric, heliocentric) as they describe our solar system, and the Big Bang as it describes
the formation of the universe.
b. Describe the position of the solar system in the Milky Way galaxy and the universe.
c. Compare and contrast the planets in terms of
 Size relative to the earth
 Surface and atmospheric features
 Relative distance from the sun
 Ability to support life
d. Explain the motion of objects in the day/night sky in terms of relative position.
e. Explain that gravity is the force that governs the motion in the solar system.
f. Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Emmyʼs Moon and Stars (Keeley et al., 2007)
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Vol. 2
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Where Do Stars Go? (Keeley et al., 2008) stars
Pizza Sun (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) apparent vs. actual size, Sun: size
How Far Away Is the Sun? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) apparent vs. actual
size, Sun: distance, Sun: location relative to Earth
Sunspots (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
solar system objects: spin, Sun: surface features
Changing Constellations (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) objects in the sky,
seasons: cause, seasons: constellations, solar system objects: orbits, solar
system objects: spin
Where Do You Find Gravity? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) gravity, other
planetary systems, solar system objects: identity, solar system objects: orbits,
space exploration
Shooting Star (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
objects in the sky, solar system objects: identity, stars: locations
Is the Sun a Star? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) apparent vs. actual size, solar
system objects: identity, stars: brightness and distance, stars: locations
Where Are the Stars in Orion? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
objects in the sky, stars: brightness and distance, stars: locations
Which Is Bigger? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
apparent vs. actual size, solar system objects: identity, stars: size
What Are Stars Made of? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) stars: composition
What Happens to Stars When They Die? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
stars: evolution
Do Stars Change? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
stars: brightness and distance, stars: composition, stars: evolution, stars: size
Are We Made of Star Stuff? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
stars: composition, stars: evolution,stars: origin of elements
Vol. 3
scale size and distance in the universe, stars, moon
AST
Seeing into the Past (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
galaxies, speed of light, stars: brightness and distance
What Is the Milky Way? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
galaxies, objects in the sky, stars: locations
Expanding Universe (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
big bang theory, galaxies, speed of light
Is the Big Bang Just a Theory? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) big bang theory
S6E2. Students will understand the effects of the relative positions of the earth,
moon and sun.
a. Demonstrate the phases of the moon by showing the alignment of the earth, moon, and
sun.
b. Explain the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun during solar and lunar eclipses.
c. Relate the tilt of the earth to the distribution of sunlight throughout the year and its effect
on climate.
Gazing at the Moon (Keeley et al., 2005) moon phases
Going Through a Phase (Keeley et al., 2005) moon phases
Darkness at Night (Keeley et al., 2007) day/night cycle, Earth's axis, rotation
Objects in the Sky (Keeley et al., 2007) light reflection, light source, stars, moon, Sun
Summer Talk (Keeley et al., 2008) Earth-Sun system, seasons
Me and My Shadow (Keeley et al., 2008) Sun-Earth system, shadows
Moonlight (Keeley and Tugel, 2009) light reflection, moon, moon phases
Lunar Eclipse (Keeley and Tugel, 2009)
Solar Eclipse (Keeley and Tugel, 2009)
What Causes Night and Day? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
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Vol. 1
Vol. 2
Vol. 3
Vol. 4
day-night cycle, Earth: shape, Earth: spin
The 2 Rʼs (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
day-night cycle, Earth: orbit, Earth: seasons, Earth: spin
Where Did the Sun Go? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
day-night cycle, Earth: shape, Earth: spin
Sunrise to Sunset (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) objects in the sky, seasons: cause,
seasons: length of day, solar system objects: spin, Sun: altitude at noon, Sun: path in sky
No Shadow (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) objects in the sky, seasons: cause, solar
system objects: spin, Sun: altitude at noon, Sun: path in sky
Whatʼs Moving? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) seasons: constellations, solar system
objects: orbits, solar system objects: spin, Sun: location relative to Earth
Shorter Days in Winter (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
seasons: cause, seasons: length of day, solar system objects: spin, Sun: path in the sky
Changing Constellations (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) objects in the sky, seasons:
cause, seasons: constellations, solar system objects: orbits, solar system objects: spin
Why Is It Warmer in Summer? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) seasons: cause,
seasons: constellations, seasons: length of day, solar system objects: orbits, Sun: altitude at noon,
Sun: distance, Sun: path in the sky
Seeing the Moon (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: appearance, objects in the sky, solar system objects: identity
Sizing Up the Moon (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
apparent vs. actual size, Moon: appearance, Moon: size
Does the Moon Orbit the Earth? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
gravity, Moon: orbit, solar system objects: orbits, solar system objects: spin
Earth or Moon Shadow? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: appearance, Moon: orbit, Moon: phase, objects in the sky
AST
Moon Phase and Solar Eclipse (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) Moon: appearance,
Moon: eclipse, Moon: orbit, Moon: phase, solar system objects: orbits, Sun: eclipse
Comparing Eclipses (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: appearance, Moon: eclipse, Moon: orbit, Moon: size, Sun: eclipse
Moon Spin (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: appearance, Moon: orbit, Moon: spin, objects in the sky, solar system objects: spin
Chinese Moon (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: appearance, Moon: phases, objects in the sky
Crescent Moon (Keeley and Sneider, 2012) Moon: appearance, Moon: phase
How Long Is a Day on the Moon? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: orbit, Moon: spin, solar system objects: orbits, solar system objects: spin
Does the Earth Go Through Phases? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
Moon: orbit, Moon: phase, solar system objects: spin
Is the Moon Falling? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
gravity, Moon: orbit, solar system objects: orbits
Whatʼs Inside Our Solar System? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
objects in the sky, solar systm objects: identity
How Do Planets Orbit the Sun? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
gravity, solar systm objects: identity, solar system objects: orbits
Is It a Planet or a Star? (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
apparent vs. actual size, objects in the sky, solar system objects: identity
Human Space Travel (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
gravity, other planetary systems, solar system objects: identity, space exploration, stars: locations
Gravity in Other Planetary Systems (Keeley and Sneider, 2012)
gravity, solar system objects: orbits, solar system objects: spin, space exploration
S6E3. Students will recognize the significant role of water in earth processes.
a. Explain that a large portion of the Earth’s surface is water, consisting of oceans, rivers,
lakes, underground water, and ice.
b. Relate various atmospheric conditions to stages of the water cycle.
c. Describe the composition, location, and subsurface topography of the world’s oceans.
d. Explain the causes of waves, currents, and tides.
Wet Jeans (Keeley et al., 2005) water cycle, evaporation
Beach Sand (Keeley et al., 2005) weathering, erosion, deposition
What Are Clouds Made of? (Keeley et al., 2008)
clouds, condensation, water cycle, water vapor
Where Did the Water Come From? (Keeley et al., 2008)
condensation, evaporation, water cycle, water vapor
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Vol. 1
Vol. 3
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S6E4. Students will understand how the distribution of land and oceans affects
climate and weather.
Rainfall (Keeley et al., 2008) clouds, gravity, precipitation, rain, water cycle
a. Demonstrate that land and water absorb and lose heat at different rates and explain the
resulting effects on weather patterns.
b. Relate unequal heating of land and water surfaces to form large global wind systems and
weather events such as tornados and thunderstorms.
c. Relate how moisture evaporating from the oceans affects the weather patterns and
weather events such as hurricanes.
Global Warming (Keeley and Tugel, 2009)
climate change, global warming, greenhouse gas
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Vol. 4
S6E5. Students will investigate the scientific view of how the earth’s surface is
formed.
a. Compare and contrast the Earth’s crust, mantle, and core including temperature, density,
and composition.
b. Investigate the contribution of minerals to rock composition.
c. Classify rocks by their process of formation.
d. Describe processes that change rocks and the surface of the earth.
e. Recognize that lithospheric plates constantly move and cause major geological events on
the earth’s surface.
f. Explain the effects of physical processes (plate tectonics, erosion, deposition, volcanic
eruption, gravity) on geological features including oceans (composition, currents, and tides).
g. Describe how fossils show evidence of the changing surface and climate of the Earth.
h. Describe soil as consisting of weathered rocks and decomposed organic material.
i. Explain the effects of human activity on the erosion of the earth’s surface.
j. Describe methods for conserving natural resources such as water, soil, and air.
Mountain Age (Keeley et al., 2005) weathering, landforms, mountains
Is It a Rock? V1 (Keeley et al., 2007) minerals, rocks, weathering and erosion
Is It a Rock? V2 (Keeley et al., 2007) minerals, rocks
Mountaintop Fossil (Keeley et al., 2007)
fossils, landforms, uplift, weathering and erosion
Earth’s Mass closed system, conservation of mass, cycling of matter, decay (or
decomposition), transformation of matter
Camping Trip (Keeley and Tugel, 2009)
heat transfer, solar radiation, temperature, weather
Where Would It Fall? (Keeley and Tugel, 2009)
Earth’s water distribution, oceans, surface of the Earth
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Vol. 1
Vol. 2
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Vol. 4
p. 157
S6E6. Students will describe various sources of energy and with their uses and
conservation.
a. Explain the role of the sun as the major source of energy and its relationship to wind and
water energy.
b. Identify renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Where Does Oil Come From? (Keeley and Tugel, 2009)
fossil fuel, natural resource, renewable/non-renewable resource
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Vol. 4
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Vol. 3
Nature of science, unifying concepts, and other topics
Is It a Theory? (Keeley et al., 2008)
theory, hypothesis, scientific law, nature of science
Doing Science (Keeley et al., 2008) experiment, nature of science, scientific inquiry,
scientific method
What Is a Hypothesis? (Keeley et al., 2008) hypothesis, nature of science, scientific
inquiry, scientific method
Is It a Model? (Keeley and Tugel, 2009) model
Is It a System? (Keeley and Tugel, 2009) system
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Vol. 4
www.uncoveringstudentideas.org
Book Titles:
Vol. 1=Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 1 - 25 Formative Assessment Probes
Vol. 2=Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 2 - 25 More Formative Assessment Probes
Vol. 3=Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 3 - Another 25 Formative Assessment Probes
Vol. 4=Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 4 - 25 NEW Formative Assessment Probes
AST=Uncovering Student Ideas in Astronomy- 45 New Formative Assessment Probes
Document compiled by: Ashley Potter & Jeremy Peacock, Northeast GA RESA/Oconee River GYSTC