Virginia SOL 4.1.e

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

• 4.1.e.i

  develop and/or use models to explain natural phenomena

• 4.1.e.ii

  identify limitations of models

01

What Students Need to Do

Students develop or use a model to explain how a natural event or process happens. They identify what the model shows well and what it leaves out or represents inaccurately.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students connect each part of a model to something in the natural world. They use the model to explain a process, then name at least one specific limitation.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think a model must look exactly like the real object or that only physical replicas count as models. They may also treat a model as proof and overlook missing scale, materials, motion, or detail.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a labeled water cycle diagram. Ask them to explain one process shown and name one way the diagram differs from the real water cycle.

1. 01

   Build a stream model with sand, a tray, and water, then explain erosion and identify one way the model differs from a river.

2. 02

   Show a globe and ask, “What does this model explain well, and what cannot it show accurately?”

3. 03

   Match model cards to natural phenomenon cards, then earn a point by naming one limitation of each model.

4. 04

   Compare a weather forecast map with the next day’s observed weather, then discuss why forecast models do not always match actual conditions.

• K.1.e

  The Kindergarten version of this standard.

• 6.1.e

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.

• 5.1.e

  The 5th Grade version of this standard.

• 1.1.e

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.