This unit was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 2nd Grade Science in Earth Systems, Structures and Processes.

This formative assessment item is used to uncover student ideas about weather at the North and South Poles. It will help to determine whether students understand that weather is different at the North and South Poles and the reasons behind the differences. Teacher resources are provided that give general information as well as instructional suggestions. This probe is aligned with National Science Education Standards.

This formative assessment item is used to uncover student ideas about solar radiation. Students will decide what they believe the sun provides to Earth. It is aligned to National Science Education Standards. Resources are provided to give additional information, as well as instructional suggestions.

This formative assessment item uncovers student understanding of weather and seasons. It uncovers student ideas about differences in seasons depending on whether a person lives in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, or along the Equator. The probe follows along with National Science Education Standards. Resources are available to assist teachers in background information as well as lesson ideas dealing with the seasons of the world.

This formative assessment item discusses common misconceptions about volcano location around the world. Resources include background and content information as well as alignment to the National Science Education Standards. The probe could easily be modified to be used with a study of earthquakes instead of volcanoes. Teachers can access other resources including facts about volcanoes and lesson ideas.