Virginia SOL 6.6.b
The Standard
water has specific properties
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students observe and test cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and water’s behavior when it freezes. They connect each property to evidence from a demonstration or investigation.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can name a water property from an observation and explain what caused the result. They can distinguish cohesion from adhesion and explain why ice floats.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think ice sinks because solids are always denser than liquids. They often confuse cohesion with adhesion or assume water dissolves every substance.
How to Assess It
- Show a picture of water beading on wax paper and ice floating in a glass. Ask students to identify and explain each property.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place drops of water on a penny, count how many fit, then connect the raised dome to cohesion and surface tension.
Ask students to explain why water climbs a paper towel, using the words adhesion and cohesion.
Give teams property and evidence cards to match, then award a point when they justify each match aloud.
Have students explain how water expanding as it freezes can crack roads, rocks, or outdoor pipes.
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Printable 6.6.b Worksheet
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