Formative Assessment

Can students use class data to answer the question, "How good are our senses at comparing the weight of cubes?"

You can find evidence by listening to students discuss and make meaning of the class data. Each group has posted their list of cubes ordered by "felt weight."   There is agreement and disagreement.

As Joan interprets the points students make, she listens for students to:

• Identify instances where there is agreement on the weight order of the cubes (not seen in video) and where there are discrepancies (copper and steel).
• Note that these data make it difficult to support an unqualified claim (Our senses are good as long as cube weights are quite different, or if the cubes aren't very light or very heavy.).

After they hear evidence for both positions, give students a chance to change their position as a next step.