Virginia SOL 2.1.a.i

Science2nd GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

ask questions that can be investigated

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 turn observations into questions they can answer by collecting evidence. They identify what they will change, observe, compare, or measure.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can observe two plants and ask whether one grows taller with more sunlight. The student can explain what evidence would help answer the question.
Common Misconceptions: Students may ask opinion questions, such as which animal is best, or questions that require only a fact lookup. They may also ask questions that are too broad or cannot be tested with available materials.
How to Assess It: Show students a toy car and a ramp. Ask them to write one question they could investigate and name what they would observe or measure.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a toy car, ramp, and blocks, then have them write a question about ramp height and travel distance.
Sort question cards into investigate, look up, or opinion groups, then ask students to explain one choice.
Play Question Fix-It by rewriting broad questions, such as Why do plants grow, into questions that can be tested.
Observe sunny and shady playground spots, then write a question about temperature, moisture, or how quickly puddles dry.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 2.1.a.i, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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