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Preconceptions Summary
Student preconceptions (misconceptions, naïve understandings) are important for teachers to uncover, address, challenge and extend. These are commonly held (but not always scientifically accurate) ideas that children bring to the classroom. Students come to school with ideas about the world and science principles because of experiences and observations that have helped to shape those beliefs. Learners hang onto those ideas until multiple experiences cause them to question previously-held beliefs and to form new explanations.
Educators need to discover student preconceptions and be aware of the related scientifically accurate ideas. It is the teacher’s role to facilitate learning experiences that challenge inaccurate ideas, solidify developing ideas, and reinforce and extend scientifically accepted ideas. Knowing student preconceptions helps educators to ask probing questions and craft experiences to move students along to greater science understanding.
Below is a summary of the preconceptions and scientifically accurate ideas related to the Trees unit:
Preconceptions about Trees
A tree is not a plant. (Students may think it used to be a plant when it was little.)
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
A tree is a living organism; classified as a plant.
Preconceptions about Organisms:
Plants, fungi, eggs and seeds are not living.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
An organism is classified as a plant, or an animal, or living by many biological criteria, such as, growing, reproducing, feeding, respiring, moving, irritability, and excreting waste.
Preconceptions about Organisms:
Plants are something between living and inanimate that does not respire, eat, or reproduce.
Plants originate in shops, factories, and through the planting efforts of humans.
Scientifically Accepted Ideas: Plants are living organisms that respire, reproduce, make their own food, and will exist entirely without humans.
Preconceptions about Photosynthesis and Respiration:
Plants get their food from the environment. (water and soil)
Scientifically Accepted Ideas:
Plants need air and water to make their own food (photosynthesize), and other materials are not “food” for plants, although they many contribute to growth.
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