Virginia SOL 6.1.a.i

Science6th GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

ask questions to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables

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 write testable questions that connect one factor they can change to one result they can measure. They name the independent variable and dependent variable in each question.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student writes a focused question, such as, "How does water temperature affect the time needed for sugar to dissolve?" The student labels water temperature as independent and dissolving time as dependent.
Common Misconceptions: Students often reverse the variables, calling the measured result independent. They may change several factors, omit a measurable result, or ask only for a fact.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A student changes the amount of fertilizer and measures bean plant height after two weeks. Write one testable question, then label both variables.

Lesson moves

Give groups ramps, blocks, and toy cars; students change ramp height, measure travel distance, then write the question their test answers.
Post three testable questions and ask pairs to identify each variable, then explain which wording makes the relationship measurable.
Play Variable Match: students pair change cards with measure cards and turn each pair into a testable question.
Use phone brightness and battery life data; students ask how changing screen brightness relates to battery drain over one hour.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.1.a.i, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.