Indiana Social Studies P.1.10

Social StudiesGrades 9–12History and Scientific Method

The Standard

Construct a testable hypothesis and apply the principles of research design to an appropriate experiment.

2026 Indiana Academic Standards: K-12 Social Studies

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students make a prediction about something they can measure. They plan a fair test, collect results, and decide whether the results support their prediction.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student predicts that a timeline will help classmates place historical events in order. They randomly assign classmates to study the same six events as a timeline or a list, then give everyone the same quiz. They compare scores and name one limit of the test.
Common Misconceptions: Students may write predictions that cannot be measured, such as “timelines make history better.” They may give one group more study time or treat one high score as proof.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Predict whether a timeline or a list will lead to higher scores on a six-event ordering quiz. Name what you would change, what you would measure, and two conditions you would keep the same.

Lesson moves

Use shuffled cards to assign timeline or list versions of the same six events, then give a two-minute study period and ordering quiz.
Ask students: If the timeline group scores higher, what else could explain the difference?
Play Spot the Flaw with experiment cards showing unequal study time or different quizzes, and have pairs fix each design.
Print two layouts of a museum label for a suffrage poster and have students plan a fair visitor recall test.

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