Virginia SOL PS.1.a.i

ScienceGrades 7–8Physical Science

The Standard

ask questions that require empirical evidence to answer

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 turn observations into focused questions that can be answered with measurements or recorded observations. They identify what evidence would help answer each question.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given a phenomenon, a student writes a focused question and names the data needed to answer it. The question avoids opinions, vague terms, and claims that cannot be observed.
Common Misconceptions: Students may write opinion questions, such as asking which material is best, without defining what best means. They may also confuse a broad research topic or an unobservable cause with a question that data can answer.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: A wet paper towel dries faster near a fan. Write one focused question about this observation and list two measurements you would collect.

Lesson moves

Give groups sealed mystery bags to observe, then have them write three questions that could be answered by collecting measurements.
Have students compare Is metal better? with How does metal type affect heat transfer? and explain which measurements could answer each question.
Play Question Sort using cards with scientific, opinion, broad, and unobservable questions, then require students to revise two weak cards.
Compare cafeteria cups by asking which keeps water cold longest, then plan temperature readings at five-minute intervals.

Keep exploring

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