Phenomenon Story Probes

Phenomenon Story Probes extend the Uncovering Student Ideas in Science probes by using short, engaging stories to present an everyday, familiar phenomenon that can be explained using science ideas. They are designed to be used in grades 3-8 for formative assessment that informs instruction while simultaneously engaging students in learning. Characters in each story share different ideas, inviting students to read closely, compare viewpoints, and use evidence and reasoning to explain what they think is happening.

Like Page Keeley’s signature probes, these story probes make students’ thinking visible and uncover common misconceptions—while intentionally merging science and literacy. Students practice close reading, discussion, and argumentation as they evaluate characters’ ideas and support their own explanations with evidence from both the text, their observations of the natural world, and scientific concepts and ideas. Teacher notes provide guidance for using the probe formatively.

The following story probes are available free for downloading. These are currently drafts and will be revised after receiving feedback from teachers.

Warm Mittens. This story probe is based on the probe, The Mitten Problem. It addresses students’ ideas about heat, thermal energy, and transfer of energy. It can be used with grades 5-8.

The Case of the Imaginary Divos. This story probe is based on the probe, Habitat Change. It addresses students’ ideas about adaptation and and how drastic changes in the environment affect organisms. It can be used with grades 3-5. It can also be used with middle school students prior to learning about natural selection to activate their thinking about adaptation.

Lights Out! This story probe is based on the probe, Apple in the Dark. It addresses students’ ideas about reflection how we see objects by their reflected light. It can be used with grades 3-5. It can also be used with middle school students to check for recall and retention of prior learning before building upon their learning about reflection and how light travels.

The School Garden Question. This story probe is based on the probe, Food for Corn. It addresses students ideas about what plants use as their food for growth and where it comes from. The probe is designed for grades 3-5, with a focus on air and water as the materials plants use for growth.. It can also be used with middle school students when they are being introduced to photosynthesis.