Here are a number of strategies and activities you might use to help uncover student misconceptions, the level of student learning and areas in which students might need further instruction.

The use of graphic organizers can be used as pre-assessment activities (or formative assessments, if we use the results to help us plan!), as embedded assessment strategies and even as final assessment assignments. The most common graphic organizers are the KWL charts and Venn diagrams. The “freeology” website (http://freeology.com/) has a large variety of graphic organizers that are downloadable. This site also provides a very brief explanation of how to use each graphic organizer.

Video Post-Viewing Assessment:

The "Give One; Get One" (http://freeology.com/graphicorgs/page6.php) summary strategy is a useful tool to identify what the students have retained from the information in the video. Provide the students with a grid of twelve squares. In any three squares, the students record three different facts or ideas that they remember from the video. The students then begin to ask their classmates to fill in the other squares with information from the video that has not yet been recorded on the grid. Each classmate can fill in only one square on an individual's grid, but students can add information to as many different grids as they want. The grid can now be used in a variety of ways, such as notes for the students as they write a summary of the information addressed in the video.

Pre-Viewing Assessment:

Before students view the video, We Are All Made of Stars, challenge them with statements like:

• Did you know that you are made of star stuff?
• How old are you? The Stuff that makes up your body is billions of years old!

Instruct your students to look for answers to these questions as they view the video; and, after showing We Are All Made of Stars, have the class enter into a discussion.

You could have your students read and discuss the article, “Is It True We’re Made of Star dust?” A printable copy of this article can be found at http://www.research.utoronto.ca/videos/is-it-true-that-we%e2%80%99re-made-up-of-star-dust/

It is important that your students be able to read technical writing. This activity provides this opportunity. Also, there are many concepts and related astronomical terms found in the article. The group discussion will inform you of what your students already know about the elements and stars.

Embedded Assessment:

The activity Periodic Bingo provides a fun and non-threatening means for students to study the elements and periodic table. Periodic Bingo Lesson with description of each element, teacher and student pages, handouts and questions for each element ftp://ftp.alsde.edu/documents/54/C_PTable.rtf

Go to the specific link http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.matter.origin/ and show the class the video clip posted. The video segment, adapted from NOVA, features scientists studying light emissions from exploding stars, called supernovas. Their observations and analyses can tell us the origin of the elements found on Earth and throughout the universe. Print out the essay “Origin of the Elements” for your students to read. The site provides questions for discussion. Each student should answer these questions.

• After the students have answered the questions hold a class discussion around each of the questions.
• Where are elements created? How are heavier elements created from hydrogen and helium?
  
• What evidence do scientists use to tell which elements are released when a supernova explodes?
  
• How do the elements in the atmosphere of a supernova help scientists identify types of supernovas?
  
• You must register to use this site but registration is free and easy (takes about 3 minutes of your time).

Post-Viewing Assessment:

You can use The Great Story website http://www.thegreatstory.org/Stardustbackground.html
as an assessment lesson with your students. Put your students into groups and instruct them to prepare a 10-minute presentation addressing the statement: “We are all made of stardust”! Direct them to the Great Story website and for them background information. Their presentations can take the form of a Powerpoint presentation, poster display and discussion, or a skit.

Another assessment strategy you could implement is to have your students read the background essay on “Elements: Forged in Stars” found on the National Digital Library site: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.eiu.fusion/
After students study this essay and related web links you could enter into discussion or ask them to answer the questions provided with the essay.