Virginia SOL 6.1.d.ii
The Standard
construct scientific explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students' own investigations)
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science · The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students answer a scientific question with a clear claim. They choose relevant evidence from investigations or other trustworthy sources and explain how it supports the claim.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student cites specific observations, measurements, or source details instead of giving an opinion. The student connects the evidence to the claim and recognizes whether the method and source are dependable.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat a claim as a complete explanation or list data without explaining its meaning. They may select only favorable results, trust every website equally, or assume one trial provides reliable evidence.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Soil A plants grew 7, 8, and 7 centimeters, while Soil B plants grew 3, 4, and 3 centimeters under equal conditions. Explain which soil supported more growth, cite two values, and tell why the evidence is relevant and reasonably reliable.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Groups test whether warm or cold water dissolves one teaspoon of sugar faster, repeat three trials, then write an evidence-based explanation.
Post two explanations for the same data, then ask, “Which is stronger, and what evidence makes it stronger?”
Run an Evidence Match game where pairs connect claim cards to relevant data cards and reject opinion or unrelated evidence cards.
Compare school thermometer readings with National Weather Service records, then explain any temperature pattern and identify limits in the available data.
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Printable 6.1.d.ii Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.1.d.ii, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 4.1.d.i
use evidence (i.e., measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support explanations and to make inferences
- PS.1.d.i
The Grades 7–8 version of this standard.
- 3.1.d.i
use evidence (measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support an explanation
- LS.1.d.ii
The Grades 7–8 version of this standard.
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