Virginia SOL LS.1.b.i
The Standard
independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate and include the safe use of chemicals and equipment
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 turn a testable question into a clear procedure and collect useful observations or measurements. They identify changed, measured, and fixed factors, choose a comparison when appropriate, and use materials safely.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a question, students can write and follow steps that another group could repeat. They collect organized data, keep conditions fair, use a control when needed, and explain safety choices.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often call every fixed condition a control or confuse the changed and measured variables. They may change several factors at once, assume every investigation needs a control group, or overlook repeated trials and safety steps.
How to Assess It
- Ask: “Does water temperature affect how quickly sugar dissolves?” Students list the changed variable, measured variable, three constants, safety steps, and a brief procedure.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Test how water temperature affects an effervescent tablet's dissolving time, using goggles, thermometers, equal water volumes, and repeated trials.
Compare a pill bug observation study with a light-choice experiment, then write which variables researchers change, measure, and hold constant.
Give teams scenario cards to sort into independent variable, dependent variable, constant, control group, or safety concern.
Have students plan a test of which lunch container keeps water coldest, including thermometer use, fair conditions, and a no-insulation control.
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Printable LS.1.b.i Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to LS.1.b.i, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 4.1.b.ii
collaboratively plan and conduct investigations
- 6.1.b.i
independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate,...
- PS.1.b.i
The Grades 7–8 version of this standard.
- 3.1.b.i
with guidance, plan and conduct investigations
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