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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. Leo tests which paper towel soaks up the most water. What should he change? (the time he waits / the amount of water / the size of the towel / the type of paper towel) → 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 temperature of the water / the colour of the sugar / the time for the sugar to dissolve / the type of cup) → the time for the sugar to dissolvePrompt: She changes the temperature. What does she then look at?
  3. 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. / A fair test means everyone gets a turn.) → Repeating a test helps you check your results.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 height of a ramp affect how far a toy car travels? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)? (minutes of exercise / height of the ramp / distance the car travels / the same car) → height of the rampPrompt: Independent variable: the one you change. Dependent variable: the one you measure.
  2. Investigation: Does the temperature of water affect how quickly sugar dissolves? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)? (time for the sugar to dissolve / time for one swing / volume of water / water temperature) → time for the sugar to dissolvePrompt: 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: Does the surface area of a puddle affect how fast it evaporates? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)? (heart rate (beats per minute) / time for the water to evaporate / surface area of the water / volume of water) → time for the water to evaporatePrompt: 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 a control variable (one you keep the same)? (height of the cress / time for one swing / length of the string / mass of the bob) → length of the stringPrompt: 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: Does the temperature of water affect how quickly sugar dissolves? Which is the dependent variable (the one you measure)?

    • A. mass of sugar
    • B. water temperature
    • C. time to fall
    • D. time for the sugar to dissolve

  2. Question 2

    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. time for one swing
    • B. height of the ramp
    • C. distance the car travels
    • D. the same car

  3. Question 3

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

    • A. time for the water to evaporate
    • B. surface area of the water
    • C. height of the ramp
    • D. volume of water

  4. Question 4

    Investigation: How does the amount of light affect the growth of cress? Which is a control variable (one you keep the same)?

    • A. amount of light
    • B. amount of water
    • C. time for the water to evaporate
    • D. height of the cress

  5. Question 5

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

    • A. heart rate (beats per minute)
    • B. type of exercise
    • C. minutes of exercise
    • D. mass of the bob

  6. Question 6

    Investigation: Does the temperature of water affect how quickly sugar dissolves? Which is the independent variable (the one you change)?

    • A. time for the sugar to dissolve
    • B. water temperature
    • C. mass of the bob
    • D. volume of water

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Answer key: Independent, dependent and control variables

  1. 1. D. time for the sugar to dissolve

  2. 2. D. the same car

  3. 3. B. surface area of the water

  4. 4. B. amount of water

  5. 5. C. minutes of exercise

  6. 6. B. water temperature