For the pre-test, my students took it all at the same time, but individually. I read the questions out loud to them and was clear that spelling and complete sentences were not an issue. The students averaged 8/25 points on the pre-test or 32%. Most of the students did not know what matter was and only a hand-full of them could name any of the states of matter. None of the students confidently knew how temperature affects the states of matter or how to draw the molecules. Most of the students could state what would happen to a puddle of water when it gets cold, but none of them could express why. About half of them have a good grasp on items that are solid, liquid, or gas; however, the car was a tricky one for them because they think "gas" when they think of car.

Over all, judging from my pre-test, I am feeling confident about my lesson plans and content objectives, including talking about what matter is, what each state is, and how temperature affects each one.

I have high hopes for my student's learning and am setting a goal for a 30-60% increase in score on the post-test.