Understanding Student Thinking Through Formative Assessment
Tools, Resources, Strategies, Techniques, and Professional Development for Supporting Conceptual Teaching and Learning
Click here to go directly to the Uncovering Student Ideas Books
Uncovering Student Ideas in Life Science- Volume 2 is now available. This book includes a collection of 30 new probes for grades 3-12 that target disciplinary core ideas from the Framework and NGSS: LS1.A-Structure and Function; LS1.B Growth and Development of Organisms; LS1.C Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms; LS2.A Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems; LS2.B Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems; and LS2.C Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience.
WHAT’S NEW?
Activating Students’ Ideas
This book combines Patrick Brown’s “Explore Before Explain” instructional sequence and Keeley’s formative assessment probes. The book includes 11 model lessons that show how a probe is used within an instructional sequence. The book can be ordered from NSTA Press or Amazon.
Are you attending CAST24 in San Antonio?
Page Keeley is returning to CAST as a featured speaker on Thursday, Nov 14, 11:30 ""What Are Students Really Thinking? Building a Bridge Between Commonly Held Ideas and the TEKS" Explore commonly held ideas K–12 students have about concepts and phenomena that connect to core ideas in the TEKs that once surfaced, and challenged, will help students achieve conceptual understanding. Learn how to use the research on learning to inform your teaching and provide opportunities for all students to work through alternative ideas that affect their learning.
Page Keeley’s Upcoming Workshop for Region 4 (Houston Area)
Join Page for a full day interactive K-12 deep dive into using Formative Assessment Classroom Techniques (FACTs) and probing questions that uncover students’ preconceptions. All participants will receive a copy of Science Formative Assessment (Vol. 2)- Practical Strategies for Linking Assessment, Instruction, and Learning. Click here to register.
RESOURCES
Grade Level Lists of Probes
If you are an NGSS adoption state or your state closely follows the recommended grade level sequence in the NGSS and Framework, you can download lists of probes for each grade level.
Science and Children Journal Articles
Check out the monthly columns on using formative assessment probes in NSTA’s Science and Children journal.
Bundling Probes
You can organize bundles of probes that address the same concept in different contexts at developmentally appropriate levels. Click here for examples of bundles for K-5, 6-8, and 9-12
Meeting Stuart Naylor at the ASE Conference in England, author of the Concept Cartoons
Concept Cartoons
Concept cartoons, developed in the UK are another great resource for uncovering students’ ideas. Several of my newest probes use the concept cartoon format. You can now order Concept Cartoons from the UK in digital form from the publisher.
A lot of books to choose from for book studies!
Book Study Guest Appearance?
Is your district or organization conducting a book study with one of Page Keeley’s book? You can request a free 15 minute virtual “meet up” to meet the author and gain some key points for your book study. Use the contact button above to contact Page for options and availability.
Welcome to the teaching profession, Jaelyn!
Resources for New Teachers
Do you know a pre-service or a new teacher? Providing them with formative assessment resources is a great way to help them start off their career successfully and build their understanding of how students think about science concepts and phenomena.