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
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.
PIMSER Professional Learning
Page Keeley will be in Kentucky for 2 days of professional learning: Day 1, Oct 28, 2025 for K-5 teachers and instructional leaders and Oct 29, 2025 for 6-12 teachers and instructional leaders. Registration information is on the PIMSER website.
Volume 2- Uncovering Student Ideas in Life Science, is now available.
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 life science disciplinary core ideas from the Framework and NGSS. Spanish versions of each probe are available.
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.