Virginia SOL 4.1.d

4.1.d is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 4.1.d.i

  use evidence (i.e., measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support explanations and to make inferences

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use measurements, observations, and patterns to explain what happened in an investigation. They make reasonable inferences and check whether another explanation is supported by the evidence.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student writes a conclusion that answers the investigation question and cites specific results. The student can identify unsupported claims and explain what evidence is missing or misused.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may repeat the results without explaining what they mean. They may treat opinions as evidence, confuse an inference with a direct observation, or claim that one result proves a broad conclusion.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a small data table showing plant growth under two light conditions. Ask them to write one conclusion, cite two pieces of evidence, and identify one claim the data cannot support.

1. 01

   Place identical ice cubes in two locations, measure melting every five minutes, then write and critique evidence-based explanations.

2. 02

   Show a seed-growth data table and ask, "Which conclusion is best supported, and what evidence rules out the others?"

3. 03

   Give teams claim, evidence, and inference cards to sort and match, then award points for explaining each match.

4. 04

   Compare a week of weather measurements with daily forecasts, then explain which patterns could support a forecast for tomorrow.

• K.1.d

  The Kindergarten version of this standard.

• 3.1.d

  The 3rd Grade version of this standard.

• 6.1.d

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.

• 2.1.d

  The 2nd Grade version of this standard.