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Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 30 minutes

Planning a fair test

Working scientifically

CCSS NGSS.SEP 3CCSS NGSS.3-PS2-1England: KS2 Y3–Y4 Working scientifically

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Planning a fair test.

  • 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: Choosing a measuring tool

Leads to: Independent, dependent and control variables

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 (Choosing a measuring tool). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which tool would you use to measure how much water a plant is given? (a ruler or tape measure / a stopwatch or timer / a measuring jug or cylinder / a thermometer) → a measuring jug or cylinderPrompt: Is it a length, a temperature, a mass, a time or an amount of liquid?
  2. What could you measure with a stopwatch or timer? (how heavy a pet hamster is / how long a candle burns / how hot a cup of tea is / how long a worm is) → how long a candle burnsPrompt: What does this tool measure: length, temperature, mass, time or volume?
  3. Zara wants to know if her bean plant grows taller each day. What should she use? (a thermometer / a stopwatch / weighing scales / a ruler) → a rulerPrompt: She wants to know how tall it is.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
  • Share the objective: Planning a fair test. 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: Leo tests which paper towel soaks up the most water. What should he change?
  • Step 1: He is testing types of paper towel, so that is the only thing he changes.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: the type of paper towel
  • Answer: the type of paper towel
  • 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.
  1. Leo tests which paper towel soaks up the most water. What should he change? (the size of the towel / the type of paper towel / the time he waits / the amount of water) → the type of paper towelPrompt: In a fair test you change only one thing: the thing you are testing.
  2. Aisha measures how fast sugar dissolves in water at different temperatures. What does she measure? (the type of cup / the time for the sugar to dissolve / the temperature of the water / the colour of the sugar) → the time for the sugar to dissolvePrompt: She changes the temperature. What does she then look at?

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.
  1. Fair tests: which statement is true? (You should change as many things as possible. / One try is always enough. / Repeating a test helps you check your results. / If a result surprises you, you should hide it.) → Repeating a test helps you check your results.Prompt: Think about what makes a test fair.
  2. Why is it a good idea to repeat a test several times? (To check the results are reliable / To change the answer / Because the first try never counts / To make the test unfair) → To check the results are reliablePrompt: What if one result was a mistake?

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: Choosing a measuring tool.
  • 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: Independent, dependent and control variables.
  • 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-3.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Planning a fair test

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Mateo wants to know if plants grow better with more light. Which plan is fair?

    • A. Same light for every plant
    • B. More water for the plant in the light
    • C. Same plant type, same water, different amounts of light
    • D. Different plants, different water, different light

  2. Question 2

    Aisha measures how fast sugar dissolves in water at different temperatures. What does she measure?

    • A. the temperature of the water
    • B. the colour of the sugar
    • C. the time for the sugar to dissolve
    • D. the type of cup

  3. Question 3

    Fair tests: which statement is true?

    • A. If a result surprises you, you should hide it.
    • B. One try is always enough.
    • C. A fair test means everyone gets a turn.
    • D. You should keep everything else the same.

  4. Question 4

    Priya tests which surface a toy car rolls furthest on. What must she keep the same?

    • A. how far the car rolls
    • B. the height of the ramp
    • C. nothing
    • D. the type of surface

  5. Question 5

    Ben tests whether salt water or tap water freezes faster. Which must he keep the same?

    • A. whether the water has salt
    • B. the time each one takes to freeze
    • C. the volume of water in each cup
    • D. the type of water

  6. Question 6

    Which question can be answered with a fair test?

    • A. Who is the best scientist?
    • B. Does a heavier parachute fall faster?
    • C. What is your favourite plant?
    • D. Is a rainbow beautiful?

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Answer key: Planning a fair test

  1. 1. C. Same plant type, same water, different amounts of light

  2. 2. C. the time for the sugar to dissolve

  3. 3. D. You should keep everything else the same.

  4. 4. B. the height of the ramp

  5. 5. C. the volume of water in each cup

  6. 6. B. Does a heavier parachute fall faster?