Science Teaching Series

Internet Resources

I. Developing Scientific Literacy

II. Developing Scientific Reasoning

III. Developing Scientific Understanding

IV. Developing Scientific Problem Solving

V. Developing Scientific Research Skills

VI. Resources for Teaching Science

Student First-Day of School Questionnaires

25.4.2 – Learning who your students are: Questionnaires (for more details, see the Sourcebook for Teaching Science - Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources)

Questionnaires are a valuable tool to learn about the students in your classes.  They should be voluntary, approved by an administrator, and collected early in the first week of class.  Study each questionnaire, associating personal information with student pictures from your photographic seating chart.  The following are sample questions.  Select ones you think will provide the most useful information, and blend them with questions of your own.  The category titles are for your reference only, and should not be included on your final questionnaire.

Goals

Family and home environment

Personal Information

Attitudes towards school

Educational background

Writing ability (writing prompts)