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Grade 6

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Make a hypothesis

Explanation and prediction. Part of how things work.

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Make a hypothesis

Explanation and prediction · Alberta Grade 6 · maddyhelps.com

Name
Date

Write O, H or E beside each statement: an observation (what was seen), a hypothesis (a testable prediction with a reason) or an explanation (why it happened). Then write your own hypothesis and plan a fair test.

The ice with salt on it melted first.
If we put salt on ice, then it will melt faster, because salt lowers the temperature water freezes at.
Salt melts ice because salty water freezes at a lower temperature than fresh water.
The plant by the window grew 4 cm taller than the one in the closet.
If a plant gets more light, then it will grow taller, because plants use light to make food.

Does a ball bounce higher when it is warm? Write a hypothesis: If … then … because …

Maya drops the same ball from 1 m after keeping it in the freezer, the fridge and a warm room, and measures each bounce.

What she changes
What she measures
What she keeps the same

For the grown-up

Make a hypothesis

“The ice with salt on…” observation; “If we put salt on…” hypothesis; “Salt melts ice because salty…” explanation; “The plant by the window…” observation; “If a plant gets more…” hypothesis. A hypothesis: if a ball is warmer, then it will bounce higher, because the air inside pushes out harder. Maya changes the temperature, measures the bounce height, and keeps the ball, the drop height and the floor the same.

A hypothesis doesn't have to be right to be good; it has to be testable and have a reason. About one question in six on the science test is about exactly this.

Why this matters is on the how things work page. More sheets