I watched a video that asked students of all ages "Where does the matter of a plant come from?" It first started by asking Harvard students at their graduation...from the sample of students that they asked most of them said that the matter was from water and nutrients pulled up from the soil. Then they asked a group of 5th graders who just finished a week on photosynthesis. They new that the plants made their own food that made up the mass of the tree, but also thought that what was needed for photosynthesis was the sun, water, and nutrients from the soil. They asked other groups of students and kept coming up with the same answers.
The students that were asked this question were able to pass tests on plant material, but were just unable to explain their reasoning when asked. What does this say about the effectiveness of our classroom tests? Standardized tests? If our students are only able to pass test, but not really know that material they are learning are we doing a good job? I am excited for next year when we will be experimenting with different ways students can SHOW us what they know. If the tests are not working, we need to start working on new ways find out what they really know.
If you are interested in seeing the video "Lessons from thin air"... CLICK!
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