Virginia SOL 1.1.a.i

Science1st GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

ask questions and make predictions based on observations

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science · The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students notice details about an object or event, then use those details to form a question. They say what they think may happen next and give an observed reason.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can describe what they see, hear, smell, or feel without guessing. They can ask a related question and make a reasonable prediction supported by one observation.
Common Misconceptions: Students may call a guess a prediction even when it does not connect to an observation. They may give an opinion instead of a question, or describe what already happened instead of what may happen next.
How to Assess It: Show a picture of an ice cube on a sunny sidewalk. Ask students to state one observation, ask one question, and predict what will happen next.

Lesson moves

Place ice cubes in sun and shade, then have students observe, ask one question, and predict which cube will melt first.
Show a photo of a leaning plant and ask, "What do you notice, wonder, and think will happen next?"
Play Mystery Bag by revealing one object feature at a time while students ask questions and revise predictions.
Observe the sky before recess, then have students predict whether coats or umbrellas will be useful and explain why.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.1.a.i, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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