Virginia SOL 6.1.d.i

Science6th GradeScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

construct explanations that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between 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 identify how one variable changes in relation to another. They use observations or measurements as evidence, then check whether an explanation fits the data.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a table, graph, or investigation results, students describe the relationship using clear words or numbers. They support the explanation with specific evidence and reject claims that conflict with the data.
Common Misconceptions: Students may describe the data without explaining the relationship between variables. They may claim that one variable caused another, ignore conflicting results, or use opinions instead of measured evidence.
How to Assess It: Show plant growth of 2, 5, and 8 centimeters after receiving 0, 5, and 10 milliliters of water. Ask students to explain the relationship and cite two values.

Lesson moves

Test paper helicopters with two wing lengths, time three drops each, and write an explanation linking wing length to fall time.
Discuss which claim best fits a class graph, then cite one measured value that supports the choice.
Play a card match using data tables, relationship statements, and evidence cards, rejecting any match the numbers do not support.
Compare local temperatures and electricity use across five days, then explain the relationship and name another factor that could affect use.

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