Virginia SOL 6.1.f

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

• 6.1.f.i

  read scientific texts, including those adapted for classroom use, to obtain scientific and/or technical information

• 6.1.f.ii

  gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication

• 6.1.f.iii

  construct, use, and/or present an argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

01

What Students Need to Do

Students find relevant facts in science texts and combine ideas from more than one source. They judge sources by author expertise, evidence, date, accuracy, and possible bias. They use reliable evidence and scientific reasoning to support a claim.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can explain why one source is more trustworthy than another. They can combine information without copying and build a clear claim supported by evidence from multiple sources.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may trust the first search result or a professional-looking website. They may treat opinions, repeated claims, or dramatic language as evidence. They may list facts from separate sources without connecting them to a claim.

04

How to Assess It

Give students two short sources about plastic waste. Ask: Which source is more credible, and what evidence from both sources supports your conclusion?

1. 01

   Give groups three printed articles and colored sticky notes to mark claims, evidence, author expertise, dates, and signs of bias.

2. 02

   Ask students to write which source they trust most and defend the choice with two details from the text.

3. 03

   Play Source Detective: teams earn points for finding corroborated facts, unsupported claims, outdated data, and loaded language in source cards.

4. 04

   Have students compare school water quality reports and local news coverage, then recommend whether further testing is needed.

• K.1.f

  The Kindergarten version of this standard.

• 5.1.f

  The 5th Grade version of this standard.

• 1.1.f

  The 1st Grade version of this standard.

• 3.1.f

  The 3rd Grade version of this standard.