Hypothesis and Variables/Lesson Document
What this resource offers the teacher and the learner
For the learner:
- discussion on hypothesis and variables in preparation for ISA GCSE exam
- graph plotting experience
- team work producing posters
For the teacher:
- descriptions and examples of different types of data (continuous and catergoric)
- useful worksheet on variables and hypothesis for students to complete
- preparation of students for their GCSE ISA exam
How to use in this resource
This lesson involves small group work and individual tasks. Here is an example lesson outline:
- 5 minutes - teacher led starter – use of example for continuous and catergoric data File:Continuous data.ppt.
- 20 minutes - students fill in poster template in groups. They should produce one poster per investigation (5 investigations presented). Differentiation by outcome – different groups will produce different number of posters File:Poster template.pdf.
- 5 minutes - assessment by students – compare their posters with another group – improve their work.
- 20 minutes - students plot graphs of similar investigations from provided data (individual work). Differentiation by outcome, up to 5 graphs can be plotted File:Mixed data.pdf.
- 10 minutes – plenary – teacher led – presentation of students graphs and discussion on the hypothesis and type of graph used to depict the results.
How this resource supports students’ learning
This is one of two lessons preparing the students for the ISA GCSE exam. It develops the idea of hypothesis to explain observations. The concept of hypothesis might be unfamiliar to students; it can be presented as a 'best guess' or a proposal intended to explain information already available.
The poster template activity is a useful collaborative learning opportunity. Groups should be selected by the teacher on the basis of maximising this opportunity for all learners.
Some students may struggle to plot continuous data graphs and may need additional help. Successful pairings can be made if necessary as the task proceeds with stronger students helping weaker ones.
