Almost every child has experienced the sniffly, stuffy, and achy congestion of the common cold. In addition, many have encountered the "old wives tales" that forge a link between personal actions and coming down with this common respiratory infection. Much of this health folklore has been passed down from generation to generation (e.g., getting a chill or going outside in the winter with wet hair will cause you to get a cold) and affects the way children (and adults) view the cause of disease and its transmission. Even the common term used for this viral affliction, a cold, implies that weather or temperature has something to do with contracting this illness. In their everyday conversations about health and sickness, children may form incorrect ideas about infectious disease transmission and often pass these common misconceptions on to their own children when they become adults. Formative assessment probes can help teachers find out what students' ideas are before teaching lessons and use the information to adjust instructional strategies. This article gives an example teachers can use to see if students understand signs of the common cold. (Contains 1 table.)