You will learn
- Define hypothesis and prediction.
- Write if-then-because.
- Tell them apart.
- Accept results that differ.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- A hypothesis gives a reason.
- A prediction says what will happen.
- If-then-because links them.
- Results may support or not support an idea.
Words to know
a testable idea that explains something
a statement of what will happen
the reason for an idea
facts from tests
1. Discover: The melting race
Dela thinks ice melts faster in the sun. She writes: “If I put ice in the sun, then it will melt faster, because the sun gives heat.” The ice in shade took longer. Her idea was supported by the evidence.
Think: What if the shade ice had melted first?
2. Understand: Hypotheses
Idea 1: Two ideas
A hypothesis is an idea with a reason, like heat melts ice. A prediction says what will happen in a test, like the sun ice will melt first.
Idea 2: If-then-because
Write: If I change X, then Y will happen, because of the reason.
Idea 3: When wrong
If results differ, the idea is not supported. This is useful because we learn and make a better hypothesis. Scientists never change data to fit.
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Write
Ice in sun.
- If.
- Then.
- Because heat.
Answer: If ice is in sun, then it melts faster, because the sun gives heat.
Example 2 (We do it together): Tell apart
The ice melts first.
- What happens.
- Prediction.
- No reason.
Answer: It is a prediction.
Example 3 (You try): Judge
Result differs.
Show the steps and answer
- Not supported.
- New idea.
- Retest.
Answer: Revise the hypothesis.
Did you know?
Scientists often learn the most from tests that prove their first idea wrong.
Why this matters
Hypotheses make investigations focused and honest.
4. Explore: Predict and test
Write an if-then-because for how fast sugar dissolves in warm and cool water, then test it.
- Write the hypothesis.
- Pour equal warm and cool water.
- Add equal sugar.
- Time and compare.
Think about it: what did you notice?
What did you notice? Our result matched or did not match the prediction.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- A ___ explains why.
- A ___ says what will happen.
- The word ___ gives the reason.
- A wrong prediction is still ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is a hypothesis?
Reasoned idea.
Question 2. What is a prediction?
What will happen.
Question 3. What is because for?
Reason.
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- What is a hypothesis?
- What is a prediction?
- What is because for?
- What decides?
- Is wrong bad?
Level 2: Grow
- Why a reason?
- Why accept results?
- Why revise?
Level 3: Stretch
- Write three.
- Run the test.
- Compare.
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: Science in everyday life
Write an if-then-because for plants and light.
Show a sample answer
Use the form.
Another one. Tell a family member one thing from this lesson. Use the words you learned.
Show a sample answer
A clear sentence that uses at least one word from Words to know.
7. Common mistakes
Fix: It teaches.
Fix: Never.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can define hypothesis and prediction.
- I can write if-then-because.
- I can tell them apart.
- I can accept results that differ.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- A hypothesis gives a reason.
- A prediction says what will happen.
- If-then-because links them.
- Results may support or not support an idea.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Variables. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- Define hypothesis and prediction. [2 marks]
- Write an if-then-because hypothesis. [4 marks]
- Explain what to do when results differ. [2 marks]
- Safety rule. [2 marks]
Total: 10 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- 1 each
- If [1]; then [1]; because [1]; testable [1]
- Revise [1]; honest data [1]
- Any [1]; reason [1]
Score guide: 9 to 10 = secure. 6 to 8 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 6 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- What is a hypothesis?
- What is a prediction?
- What is because for?
- What decides?
- Is wrong bad?
- Why a reason?
- Why accept results?
- Why revise?
- Write three.
- Run the test.
Homework
Write a hypothesis about drying clothes.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What is a hypothesis? | Reasoned idea. | 1 |
| 2. What is a prediction? | What will happen. | 1 |
| 3. What is because for? | Reason. | 1 |
| 4. What decides? | Evidence. | 1 |
| 5. Is wrong bad? | No. | 1 |
| 6. Why a reason? | Test it. | 1 |
| 7. Why accept results? | Honesty. | 1 |
| 8. Why revise? | Learn. | 1 |
| 9. Write three. | Sentences. | 1 |
| 10. Run the test. | Table. | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 Reasoned idea.; 2 What will happen.; 3 Reason.; 4 Evidence.; 5 No.. Level 2: 1 Test it.; 2 Honesty.; 3 Learn.. Level 3: 1 Sentences.; 2 Table.; 3 Paragraph..
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Define hypothesis and prediction | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Write if-then-because | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Tell them apart | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Accept results that differ | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: “A wrong prediction means failure.” It teaches.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Write hypotheses and predictions.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child writes hypotheses. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Predict a daily event.
- Ask “Why do you think so?”
- Accept surprises.
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: define hypothesis and prediction; write if-then-because; tell them apart; accept results that differ.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 4 inquiry ideas: asking questions, fair testing, measuring, recording results in tables and drawing conclusions.
Materials. Cups, sugar, water, timer. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Warm water.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Ask, “Which melts first, sun or shade?”
Explanation (10 min). Teach hypotheses.
Guided activity (10 min). Learners write.
Independent activity (10 min). Learners test.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. If? Then? Because?
Teacher explanation notes. Start with real objects and safe, hands-on observation. Then talk about what was seen, then draw and write. Always say “how do you know?”. Keep to the safety notes, and use local, safe materials.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use real objects and pictures, short sentences and a partner. Let learners point, show or draw instead of writing. Extension. Ask learners to find a new example at home and explain how they know.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. “A wrong prediction means failure.” It teaches.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 10-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Write hypotheses and predictions. Enrichment. Look for one new example near your home or school, draw it and explain it to someone. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Next Generation Science Standards, Cambridge Primary Science and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Research used to shape this lesson. Courseversity Science curriculum, Grade 5 Unit 1, topic 2; Next Generation Science Standards, science and engineering practices; Cambridge Primary Science Stage 5, thinking and working scientifically; IB Primary Years Programme, how we express ourselves and how the world works. These sources informed the lesson.