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Science lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 30 minutes

Independent, dependent and control variables

Working scientifically

CCSS NGSS.SEP 3CCSS NGSS.MS-PS2-2England: KS2 Y5–Y6 Working scientificallyEngland: KS3 Working scientifically

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Independent, dependent and control variables.

  • 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: Planning a fair test

Leads to: Drawing conclusions from evidence; Evaluating experiments (research summaries)

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 (Planning a fair test). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Why is it a good idea to repeat a test several times? (To check the results are reliable / Because the first try never counts / To make the test unfair / To change the answer) → To check the results are reliablePrompt: What if one result was a mistake?
  2. Omar tests how the length of a guitar string changes its note. He uses strings of different lengths. What else should stay the same? (the length of the strings / nothing else matters / the note he hears / how tight and thick the strings are) → how tight and thick the strings arePrompt: Tightness and thickness also change the note.
  3. Fair tests: which statement is true? (If a result surprises you, you should hide it. / One try is always enough. / A prediction says what you think will happen. / A fair test means everyone gets a turn.) → A prediction says what you think will happen.Prompt: Think about what makes a test fair.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
  • Share the objective: Independent, dependent and control variables. 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: Investigation: Does the surface area of a puddle affect how fast it evaporates? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)?
  • Step 1: Change: surface area of the water. Measure: time for the water to evaporate. Keep the same: volume of water, temperature of the room.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: surface area of the water
  • Answer: surface area of the water
  • 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. Investigation: How does the amount of light affect the growth of cress? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)? (height of the cress / size of the parachute / amount of light / amount of water) → amount of lightPrompt: Independent variable: the one you change. Dependent variable: the one you measure.
  2. Investigation: How does the mass of a pendulum bob affect the time of one swing? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)? (time for one swing / length of the string / mass of the bob / time for the sugar to dissolve) → time for one swingPrompt: Independent variable: the one you change. Dependent variable: the one you measure.

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. Investigation: How does the height of a ramp affect how far a toy car travels? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)? (height of the ramp / height of the cress / distance the car travels / the same car) → distance the car travelsPrompt: Independent variable: the one you change. Dependent variable: the one you measure.
  2. Investigation: Does the surface area of a puddle affect how fast it evaporates? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)? (surface area of the water / volume of water / minutes of exercise / time for the water to evaporate) → surface area of the waterPrompt: Independent variable: the one you change. Dependent variable: the one you measure.

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: Planning a fair test.
  • 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: Drawing conclusions from evidence; Evaluating experiments (research summaries).
  • 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-5.

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

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Independent, dependent and control variables

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Investigation: How does exercise affect heart rate? Which is a control variable (one you keep the same)?

    • A. the same person
    • B. minutes of exercise
    • C. heart rate (beats per minute)
    • D. time for the sugar to dissolve

  2. Question 2

    Investigation: Does the surface area of a puddle affect how fast it evaporates? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)?

    • A. number of cells
    • B. surface area of the water
    • C. temperature of the room
    • D. time for the water to evaporate

  3. Question 3

    Investigation: How does exercise affect heart rate? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)?

    • A. time for one swing
    • B. heart rate (beats per minute)
    • C. minutes of exercise
    • D. type of exercise

  4. Question 4

    Investigation: How does the height of a ramp affect how far a toy car travels? Which is a control variable (one you keep the same)?

    • A. height of the ramp
    • B. the same floor surface
    • C. height of the cress
    • D. distance the car travels

  5. Question 5

    Investigation: How does the amount of light affect the growth of cress? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)?

    • A. amount of light
    • B. type of soil
    • C. height of the cress
    • D. mass of the bob

  6. Question 6

    Investigation: Does the size of a parachute affect how long it takes to fall? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)?

    • A. time to fall
    • B. size of the parachute
    • C. mass hanging from it
    • D. distance the car travels

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Answer key: Independent, dependent and control variables

  1. 1. A. the same person

  2. 2. B. surface area of the water

  3. 3. B. heart rate (beats per minute)

  4. 4. B. the same floor surface

  5. 5. A. amount of light

  6. 6. A. time to fall