Virginia SOL 5.1.b.iii

Science5th GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

determine data that should be collected to answer a testable question

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 identify the observations and measurements needed to answer a testable question. They choose suitable tools, units, collection times, and table headings.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a question, students can name the exact data to collect and explain how those data will answer it. They can leave out measurements that do not relate to the question.
Common Misconceptions: Students may collect every available measurement instead of selecting relevant data. They may confuse the factor being changed with the result being measured. They may also omit units or collection times.
How to Assess It: Use this exit ticket: “Does the amount of sunlight affect bean plant height after 10 days?” List the data, tool, unit, and collection schedule needed.

Lesson moves

Give groups three paper towel brands, then have them choose and record the measurements needed to compare absorbency fairly.
Post the question, “Does water temperature change how fast sugar dissolves?” and ask students to justify each proposed table heading.
Play Data or Distraction by reading possible measurements for a plant-growth question while teams sort cards into useful and irrelevant data.
Plan a cafeteria waste study by deciding whether to record food type, mass discarded, number of students, or unrelated details.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.1.b.iii, 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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