SC.5.N.1.4

Identify a control group and explain its importance in an experiment.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 5
Body of Knowledge: Nature of Science
Idea: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts
Big Idea: The Practice of Science -

A: Scientific inquiry is a multifaceted activity; The processes of science include the formulation of scientifically investigable questions, construction of investigations into those questions, the collection of appropriate data, the evaluation of the meaning of those data, and the communication of this evaluation.

B: The processes of science frequently do not correspond to the traditional portrayal of "the scientific method."

C: Scientific argumentation is a necessary part of scientific inquiry and plays an important role in the generation and validation of scientific knowledge.

D: Scientific knowledge is based on observation and inference; it is important to recognize that these are very different things. Not only does science require creativity in its methods and processes, but also in its questions and explanations.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
5020060: Science - Grade Five (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5010046: Language Arts - Grade Five (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7720060: Access Science Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
7710016: Access Language Arts - Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
5020120: STEM Lab Grade 5 (Specifically in versions: 2016 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.5.N.1.Pa.2: Recognize that people use observation and actions to get answers to questions about the natural world.
SC.5.N.1.In.3: Recognize that experiments may include activities that are repeated.
SC.5.N.1.Su.3: Recognize that experiments can be repeated with other groups.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Educational Game

Science Vocabulary Hangman:

This interactive game uses the traditional hangman premise with all questions and answers involving science vocabulary. There are general sets of science vocabulary to choose from, as well as specific topics. You can even choose vocabulary pertaining to 5th or 8th grade FCAT Science Tests!

Type: Educational Game

Lesson Plans

How Does Force Affect Motion?:

Students will explore how force affects an object's motion. Students will discuss how the greater the mass of an object, the greater the force required to move an object.  Students will use data gathered through experimentation to justify their reasoning and understanding of forces and motion.

Type: Lesson Plan

Investigating Variables:

In this inquiry lesson, students will design an experiment to answer the question "How do different surfaces affect the bounce of a ping pong ball?" Students will collect and analyze data as well as identify controls and variables in a scientific experiment.

Type: Lesson Plan

Solve the Dissolving Problem:

In this lesson, students will be experimenting what independent variable will affect dissolving rates; students will compare results of peers to also determine materials that dissolve and do not dissolve from 5 given materials; and, students will identify and learn what controls in an experiment are and their importance. This is a multi-part lesson that can be broken down by day or presented in one block. Complete all Part As in each phase (Teaching/I Do/Know, Guided/We Do/Understand, Independent/You Do/Do) before Part Bs. This lesson does not address the reference/research component of SC.5.N.1.1.

Type: Lesson Plan

Transformation of Energy: Constructing an Electromagnet:

In this hands-on lesson, students will work in groups to construct an electromagnet.  This lesson focuses energy, forms of energy, and how energy is transformed in a circuit.  This lesson also can be used to address variables in an experiment, conductors and insulators, data tables and graphs, and open and closed circuits. 

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

Identifying the Control Group:

Learn to identify a control group and explain its importance in an experiment with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Resource Collection

Variables-FOSS Module:

Some of the most important scientific concepts students learn are the result of their ability to see relationships between objects and events. Relationships always involve interactions, dependencies, and cause and effect. The Variables Module has four investigations that help students discover relationships through controlled experimentation. Students will fling, float, fly, and flip objects as they discover relationships in each investigation.

Type: Resource Collection

Unit/Lesson Sequences

Substances Dealing With Heat:

The students will conduct an experiment with water so they can see H2O in all three of its states of matter. The students will conduct another experiment to see the effects temperature has on the decomposition process of an organism. They will also learn how heat speeds up the molecules in an object causing it to become hot. Students will experiment to see the effects heat will have on calcium.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Mysterious M&Ms | Molecules in Motion | Inquiry in Action:

In this unit, students will investigate M&Ms in water by posing questions, designing and conducting experiments to answer these questions, and developing explanations based on their observations. Students will investigate the effects of variables, such as temperature, on the rate at which the colored coating of M&Ms dissolves.

Type: Unit/Lesson Sequence

Worksheet

Sponge Bob: Controls and Variables:

This fun worksheet uses the popular Sponge Bob characters to help students learn characteristics of the process of science inquiry, specifically, the identification of variables. Other concepts and skills that are addressed include: developing a conclusion, the purpose of a control group, the placebo effect, the initial observation, and analyzing data charts.

Type: Worksheet

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8

Identifying the Control Group:

Learn to identify a control group and explain its importance in an experiment with this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

Identifying the Control Group:

Learn to identify a control group and explain its importance in an experiment with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.