Ask the student to tell about light. As the interview proceeds allow questions to flow from the students response. No put downs are allowed. Students can be asked to share their ideas with the class. In one ninth grade class students completed the statement and responded with the following information.
All cells are square.
Their life science book pictured a colorful diagram of a plant cell and viewing onion skin was their only lab experience. All cells are pink. The life science books had many drawings of cells, mostly pink. These responses not only indicated some misconceptions, but they pointed also to a group of students who were probably good visual learners. Prepare a statement of the purpose of the interview for your students.