Virginia SOL K.1.a.i

ScienceKindergartenScientific and Engineering Practices

The Standard

ask questions based on observations

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 look closely at an object, living thing, or event and name details they notice. They ask a question that connects directly to one of those details.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can describe a visible detail, such as spots on a leaf, then ask why the spots are there. The question clearly grows from the observation.
Common Misconceptions: Students may give another statement instead of asking a question. They may ask about something unrelated, or report a guess as if it were an observation.
How to Assess It: Show students a photograph of a sprouting seed and say, “Name one thing you notice. Ask one question about what you noticed.” Check that each question connects to a named detail.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a pinecone and hand lenses; students draw one detail they notice, then dictate or write one question about it.
Show an ice cube melting and ask, “What did you notice, and what question does that observation make you want to ask?”
Play Notice or Question: read simple statements, students hold up N or Q cards, then change each notice into a question.
Take a weather walk; students observe clouds, puddles, or wind, then ask one question tied to a specific sight or feeling.

Keep exploring

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