Virginia SOL 4.1.a.i

Science4th GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

identify scientific and non-scientific questions

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 decide whether a question can be answered with observations, measurements, or a fair investigation. They explain their choice and revise opinion-based questions into testable ones.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly sort questions and justify each choice by naming evidence that could answer it. They can change “Which soil is best?” to “Which soil holds the most water?”
Common Misconceptions: Students may think any question about nature counts as science. They may also confuse personal preferences with measurable questions or assume every question must be tested in a classroom.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask students to classify “Which paper towel absorbs the most water?” and “Which paper towel looks best?” Then revise the second question.

Lesson moves

Give pairs eight question cards and two labels, then have them sort each card and underline words showing what evidence is needed.
Ask students to explain in writing why “Are cats better than dogs?” cannot be settled with measurements alone.
Play Question Corners: read a question, students move to scientific or non-scientific, then one student explains the group’s choice.
Inspect a school recycling bin, then have students write one measurable question about the types or amounts of waste inside.

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