Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes
Repeat readings, means and anomalies
Working scientifically
CCSS NGSS.SEP 5England: KS3 Working scientifically
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Repeat readings, means and anomalies.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Reading tables and line graphs
Leads to: Accuracy, precision, errors and significant figures; Interpreting data from tables and graphs
Materials: Simple equipment for a fair test, Results table template, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Reading tables and line graphs). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Number of cells → Bulb brightness (lux) 2 → 21 4 → 26 6 → 31 20 → 36 50 → 41 What happens to “Bulb brightness (lux)” as “Number of cells” increases? (it goes up then down / it stays the same / it increases / it decreases) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
- Ramp height (cm) → Distance travelled (cm) 5 → 35 10 → 42 6 → 49 40 → 56 50 → 63 What happens to “Distance travelled (cm)” as “Ramp height (cm)” increases? (it goes up then down / it decreases / it stays the same / it increases) → it increasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
- Water temperature (°C) → Time to dissolve (s) 2 → 61 20 → 55 15 → 49 20 → 43 50 → 37 What happens to “Time to dissolve (s)” as “Water temperature (°C)” increases? (it stays the same / it decreases / it increases / it goes up then down) → it decreasesPrompt: Read down the second column. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller?
Hook · 3 min
- Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
- Share the objective: Repeat readings, means and anomalies. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 103, 101 and 100 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place.
- Step 1: 103 + 101 + 100 = 304
- Step 2: 304 Ă· 3 = 101.33
- Step 3: So the answer is: 101.3 bpm
- Answer: 101.3 bpm
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- A group measured the time for a ball to roll down a ramp three times: 31, 32 and 29 s. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 30.7 sPrompt: Add the three readings.
- Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 9, 11, 20, 9. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (20 / 9 / 11) → 20Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.
You do: independent practice · 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Four repeat readings of the temperature rise in a reaction (°C): 23, 15, 12, 15. Which reading is anomalous (does not fit the pattern)? (23 / 15 / 12) → 23Prompt: Most of the readings are close together.
- A group measured a pulse rate after exercise three times: 127, 130 and 128 bpm. What is the mean? Give your answer to 1 decimal place. → 128.3 bpmPrompt: Add the three readings.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Reading tables and line graphs.
- Use concrete materials: simple equipment for a fair test.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Accuracy, precision, errors and significant figures; Interpreting data from tables and graphs.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder