Pre-Assessment

For my science practicum this semester I am doing a lesson on matter and how it changes.  The class is made up of second graders.  What the teacher is working on is solids, liquids, and gases as well as the scientific method.  However, she is being very flexible and liked my logic flow that I mentioned previously.  For a pre-assessment I am asking students to answer some questions a few days before we "change" the selected objects.  I will bring in examples of these objects before they are "changed" so that students can see and feel these objects in their natural state.

What do you know about matter (stuff) and how it changes?

What would happen if we put an object like carrots, eggs, rocks, water, or Dove soap into a freezer?

Would each item change in the same way?  Why?

What would happen if we heated an object like carrots, eggs, rocks, water, or Dove soap in a microwave?

Would each item change in the same way?  Why?


EDIT:  11-12-12 

Did this pre-assessment today. The students were pretty ignorant of everything covered but I'm very happy with how they did. The teacher started her unit on the types of matter today and I will do my first lesson/observational experiment on Friday. I think it will be really interesting to see how their ideas develop.