Making Predictions about Reflection and Absorption

Resource for Grades 5-8
| Citation

Making Predictions about Reflection and Absorption

Media Type:
Video

Running Time: 3m 42s
Size: 11.1 MB

or


Source: WGBH Educational Foundation


Resource Produced by:

WGBH Educational Foundation

Collection Developed by:

WGBH Educational Foundation

Collection Funded by:


In this video segment from Teaching Middle School Physical Science, teacher Nadine Coletta helps her sixth-grade class make predictions about light reflection and absorption. First, she asks students to write down their predictions about which of two colored objects will absorb or reflect more. Then she has them discuss their ideas as a group. Coletta explains that making predictions helps students draw on what they already know and understand the experiment in its proper context.
Permitted use: Download Only Download Only

open Discussion Questions

You may find it useful to watch this video with a group of your colleagues and then discuss it together.
  • What were Coletta’s goals for having these students make predictions? To what extent do you think the predictions help her assess student understanding?
  • What do you think these students mean when they make statements such as:
    1. "It has all the colors, so it absorbs more heat."
    2. "When light is absorbed, it creates heat."
    3. "It will heat the water, not the container."
  • What evidence do you see that these students are not just, in Coletta’s words, "spitting back what they know I want to hear"?
Printer Friendly Version of Discussion Questions Print Discussion Questions

open Standards

 
to:

Loading Content Loading Standards

PBS LearningMedia
Teachers' Domain is moving to PBS LearningMedia on October 15, 2013. On that date you will be automatically redirected to PBS LearningMedia when visiting Teachers' Domain.
Close PBS LearningMedia PBS LearningMedia Login