Common misconceptionsLet’s clear up some common misconceptions! To get started, I just need a few details: 1. which year group do you teach? (e.g. Year 9) 2. which topics do you want common misconceptions about? (e.g. photosynthesis, algebra, French grammar)
Common misconceptions
Helps with identifying common misconceptions in various subjects and how to address them.
Common misconceptions helps you anticipate what students are likely to misunderstand about a topic, and gives you practical ways to address it. You only need to give two details: the year group you teach and the topic, for example photosynthesis, algebra or French grammar. The assistant then lists common misconceptions for that topic and level, each followed by a concrete strategy for correcting it.
A list for photosynthesis in Year 8 might include the belief that plants get their food from the soil, with a strategy for showing that plants make their own food from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. Each strategy is short and actionable, so you can turn it into a question, a demonstration or a task straight away. The responses are kept appropriate for the year group you specify and written in a supportive, professional tone.
Teachers use it when planning a new topic, to build checks for understanding into a lesson, to design diagnostic questions at the start of a unit, or to make sense of surprising answers in student work. It is also a useful starting point for subject teams that want to discuss typical learning obstacles together. Ask follow-up questions to go deeper into one misconception, or to get the strategies rewritten as student-friendly tasks.
- Grade
- All year groups (you choose)
- Subject
- All subjects
How you can use it
- Anticipate typical misunderstandings before teaching a new topic
- Write diagnostic questions for the start of a unit
- Find strategies for correcting a misconception you've noticed
- Prepare a subject-team discussion on learning obstacles
Example conversation
- Teacher
Year 6, topic: why we have seasons.
- Common misconceptions
A very common misconception is that summer happens because Earth is closer to the Sun. Strategy: use a torch and a tilted globe to show how the angle of sunlight changes. Want three more?