Virginia SOL 5.1.e

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

• 5.1.e.i

  develop models using an analogy, example, or abstract representation to describe a scientific principle or design solution

• 5.1.e.ii

  identify limitations of models

01

What Students Need to Do

Students create a physical object, drawing, diagram, or analogy that shows how parts of a system work together. They explain each representation and name what it leaves out or shows inaccurately.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Given a science idea or design problem, students choose a useful model and label its key parts and relationships. They use it to explain or predict something, then identify at least one limitation.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think a model must look exactly like the real object or must always be three-dimensional. They may focus on decoration, or assume that identifying a limitation means the model is useless.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Draw and label a model using a flashlight and ball to explain day and night. Name one thing the model cannot show accurately.

1. 01

   Use a flashlight, foam ball, and skewer to build a day-and-night model, then tag one feature that is not to scale.

2. 02

   Compare a globe and flat map, then write which better answers a travel-distance question and what each leaves out.

3. 03

   Play Model Match by pairing diagrams, objects, and analogy cards with the processes they represent, then defend one match.

4. 04

   Examine a bridge prototype or photo, then list what engineers can test with it and which full-size conditions it misses.

• K.1.e

  The Kindergarten version of this standard.

• 4.1.e

  The 4th Grade version of this standard.

• 6.1.e

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.

• 1.1.e

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.