Lesson Plan
Variables: Cause & Effect
Students will be able to identify independent and dependent variables in simple scientific experiments.
Understanding independent and dependent variables is fundamental to scientific thinking. It helps students make sense of how experiments are designed and how we learn about the world around us. This skill is vital for success in biology and everyday problem-solving.
Audience
10th Grade High School Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, guided practice, and a simple worksheet.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Variables: Cause & Effect Slide Deck, Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet, and Variables: Cause & Effect Answer Key
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Variables: Cause & Effect Slide Deck and associated teacher notes.
- Print copies of the Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet for each student.
- Review the Variables: Cause & Effect Answer Key.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is set up and working.
- Familiarize yourself with the Variables: Cause & Effect Script.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Think About It!
5 minutes
- Begin with the Variables Warm-Up activity.
- Ask students to share their initial thoughts on how one thing can affect another. (e.g., “If I eat more, what happens?”).
- Introduce the idea that in science, we look for cause and effect.
Step 2
Introduction to Variables (Slide Deck & Script)
10 minutes
- Present the Variables: Cause & Effect Slide Deck, following the Variables: Cause & Effect Script.
- Focus on clear definitions and simple examples of independent and dependent variables.
- Use visuals and repetition to reinforce concepts.
- Pause for questions and check for understanding frequently.
Step 3
Guided Practice: Worksheet Time!
10 minutes
- Distribute the Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet.
- Go through the first one or two examples together as a class, guiding students to identify the independent and dependent variables.
- Circulate around the room, providing individualized support and clarifying any confusion as students work independently or in pairs on the remaining problems.
Step 4
Cool-Down: Quick Check
5 minutes
- Collect the Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet.
- Conduct the Variables Cool-Down activity.
- Review one or two key concepts from the lesson to ensure understanding.
- Assign any unfinished worksheet problems for homework if desired.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Variables: Cause & Effect
Understanding how things change and why is super important in science! Today, we'll learn about the special words scientists use to talk about what they are testing and what they are looking for.
Welcome students and prepare them for the lesson. Briefly introduce the topic of scientific experiments and how we learn about the world.
What's a Variable?
A variable is anything that can change or be different in an experiment.
Think about things that can change:
- How much water a plant gets 🌱
- How fast a car goes 🚗
- How much you study for a test 📚
Explain that variables are things that can change or be changed in an experiment. Use simple, relatable examples.
Independent Variable (IV)
The Independent Variable (IV) is the one thing you change on purpose in an experiment.
- It's the CAUSE!
- Think: "I change it!"
Example: If you want to see if different amounts of sunlight make plants grow taller, what do you change?
- Amount of Sunlight! (That's your IV)
Introduce the independent variable. Emphasize it's what we change on purpose. Provide clear examples.
Dependent Variable (DV)
The Dependent Variable (DV) is what happens because of what you changed.
- It's the EFFECT!
- Think: "It DEPENDS on what I changed."
Example: If you changed the amount of sunlight, what would you measure or look for to see the effect?
- Plant Height! (That's your DV, it depends on the sunlight)
Introduce the dependent variable. Emphasize it's what we measure or observe. Provide clear examples that link back to the IV examples.
Think of it like this...
You control the TV remote (Independent Variable) 📺
What happens when you press the volume button?
The sound gets louder or quieter (Dependent Variable)! 🔊
The sound depends on what you did with the remote!
Use a simple analogy to reinforce the concepts. This helps students visualize the relationship.
Let's Practice! Example 1
Question: Does eating breakfast make you feel more energized for school?
- What is being changed on purpose?
- What is being measured or observed?
Provide another simple example for students to practice identifying both variables. Encourage them to think out loud.
Example 1 - Answers
Question: Does eating breakfast make you feel more energized for school?
- Independent Variable (IV): Eating breakfast (or not eating it) - This is what you control/change.
- Dependent Variable (DV): How energized you feel - This is what you observe/measure, it depends on breakfast!
Reveal the answers for the practice example. Provide clear explanation for each.
Let's Practice! Example 2
Question: Will a plant grow taller if it gets more water?
- What is being changed on purpose?
- What is being measured or observed?
Another practice example. This helps solidify understanding before the worksheet.
Example 2 - Answers
Question: Will a plant grow taller if it gets more water?
- Independent Variable (IV): Amount of water the plant gets - This is what you control/change.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Plant height - This is what you observe/measure, it depends on the water!
Reveal the answers for the second practice example.
Your Turn! Worksheet Time!
Now you get to be the scientist!
Work on the Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet to practice identifying independent and dependent variables.
Transition to the worksheet. Explain that students will apply what they've learned.
Remember!
- Independent Variable (IV): What I change (the cause).
- Dependent Variable (DV): What depends on what I changed (the effect).
Good job, scientists!
Summarize the key takeaway and reiterate the importance of variables.
Worksheet
Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Directions: Read each experiment idea. Then, identify the Independent Variable (IV) and the Dependent Variable (DV).
Remember:
- Independent Variable (IV): What I change on purpose (the CAUSE).
- Dependent Variable (DV): What depends on what I changed (the EFFECT).
Experiment Ideas
1. Sunlight and Plant Growth
Idea: A scientist wants to see if plants grow taller when they get more sunlight.
- Independent Variable (IV):
- Dependent Variable (DV):
2. Study Time and Test Scores
Idea: A student wants to know if studying for more hours will lead to a higher score on a science test.
- Independent Variable (IV):
- Dependent Variable (DV):
3. Food and Dog Energy
Idea: A pet owner wants to find out if a new brand of dog food makes their dog have more energy to play.
- Independent Variable (IV):
- Dependent Variable (DV):
4. Music and Focus
Idea: A teacher wants to see if playing calm music during a worksheet helps students focus better.
- Independent Variable (IV):
- Dependent Variable (DV):
5. Fertilizer and Apple Size
Idea: A farmer wants to know if adding a special fertilizer makes apples grow bigger.
- Independent Variable (IV):
- Dependent Variable (DV):
6. Practice and Basketball Shots
Idea: A basketball coach wants to see if practicing shooting more often helps players make more baskets.
- Independent Variable (IV):
- Dependent Variable (DV):
Answer Key
Variables: Cause & Effect Answer Key
Directions: Read each experiment idea and identify the Independent Variable (IV) and the Dependent Variable (DV).
Experiment Ideas
1. Sunlight and Plant Growth
Idea: A scientist wants to see if plants grow taller when they get more sunlight.
- Independent Variable (IV): Amount of Sunlight
- Thought Process: The scientist is changing how much sunlight the plants get. This is the cause.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Plant Height
- Thought Process: The plant height is what the scientist measures. Its growth depends on the amount of sunlight.
2. Study Time and Test Scores
Idea: A student wants to know if studying for more hours will lead to a higher score on a science test.
- Independent Variable (IV): Hours of Study Time
- Thought Process: The student is changing or controlling how many hours they study. This is the cause.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Science Test Score
- Thought Process: The test score is what will be measured or observed. The score depends on the study time.
3. Food and Dog Energy
Idea: A pet owner wants to find out if a new brand of dog food makes their dog have more energy to play.
- Independent Variable (IV): Brand of Dog Food
- Thought Process: The pet owner is changing the type of dog food. This is the cause.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Dog's Energy Level (e.g., how much they play)
- Thought Process: The dog's energy is what will be measured or observed. Its energy depends on the food it eats.
4. Music and Focus
Idea: A teacher wants to see if playing calm music during a worksheet helps students focus better.
- Independent Variable (IV): Presence of Calm Music (playing or not playing)
- Thought Process: The teacher is changing whether music is played or not. This is the cause.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Student Focus (e.g., how well they complete the worksheet, engagement)
- Thought Process: Student focus is what will be measured or observed. Their focus depends on whether music is playing.
5. Fertilizer and Apple Size
Idea: A farmer wants to know if adding a special fertilizer makes apples grow bigger.
- Independent Variable (IV): Amount/Type of Fertilizer
- Thought Process: The farmer is changing whether fertilizer is added or how much. This is the cause.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Apple Size
- Thought Process: The apple size is what will be measured or observed. The size of the apples depends on the fertilizer.
6. Practice and Basketball Shots
Idea: A basketball coach wants to see if practicing shooting more often helps players make more baskets.
- Independent Variable (IV): Frequency of Shooting Practice
- Thought Process: The coach is changing how often players practice shooting. This is the cause.
- Dependent Variable (DV): Number of Baskets Made
- Thought Process: The number of baskets made is what will be measured or observed. The number of baskets depends on how much they practice.
Script
Variables: Cause & Effect Script
Warm-Up (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to become super scientists! Has anyone ever wondered why something happens when you do something else? Like, if you eat a lot of candy, what usually happens?"
Teacher: "Right! Maybe you get a lot of energy, or a stomachache! That's a simple way of thinking about cause and effect. When you do one thing (the cause), something else happens (the effect). We're going to explore this idea in science today."
Introduction to Variables (10 minutes)
Teacher: "(Transition to Variables: Cause & Effect Slide Deck - Slide 1) Our lesson today is called 'Variables: Cause & Effect.' We'll learn how scientists figure out what causes what."
Teacher: "(Slide 2: What's a Variable?) In science, when we do an experiment, we are often looking for changes. We call anything that can change a variable. Can you think of anything in our classroom that could change?"
Teacher: "Great ideas! The temperature can change, the time of day changes, even how many pencils are on my desk can change! These are all variables. But in an experiment, we focus on special kinds of variables."
Teacher: "(Slide 3: Independent Variable (IV)) The first special variable is called the Independent Variable. Say that with me: Independent Variable. This is super important: The independent variable is the one thing that YOU (the scientist) CHANGE ON PURPOSE in an experiment. Think of it as the CAUSE! I always remember it by thinking, 'I change it!**'"
Teacher: "Let's try an example together. If I want to see if giving a plant more sunlight makes it grow taller, what am I changing on purpose? What is the cause?"
Teacher: "Yes! The amount of sunlight! I am controlling how much sunlight each plant gets. So, the Amount of Sunlight is our Independent Variable."
Teacher: "(Slide 4: Dependent Variable (DV)) Now for the other special variable: The Dependent Variable. Say that with me: Dependent Variable. The dependent variable is what happens because of what you changed. It's the EFFECT! It DEPENDS on what you did!"
Teacher: "Let's go back to our plant example. If I changed the amount of sunlight, what would I be looking for? What would depend on the sunlight?"
Teacher: "Exactly! I would be looking to see if the plant grows taller. So, the Plant Height is our Dependent Variable. It depends on the amount of sunlight."
Teacher: "(Slide 5: Think of it like this...) Here's another way to think about it. Imagine you have a TV remote. You control the remote, right? (That's like the Independent Variable). When you press the volume button, what happens? The sound gets louder or quieter! The sound depends on what you did with the remote. So, the sound is the Dependent Variable!"
Teacher: "(Slide 6: Let's Practice! Example 1) Let's try another one. Does eating breakfast make you feel more energized for school? Take a moment to think: What is being changed on purpose? What is being measured or observed?"
Teacher: "(Slide 7: Example 1 - Answers) The Independent Variable is Eating breakfast (or not eating it) – because that’s what we’re changing. And the Dependent Variable is How energized you feel – because that’s what we’re measuring, and it depends on if you ate breakfast!"
Teacher: "(Slide 8: Let's Practice! Example 2) One more practice before you work on your own! Will a plant grow taller if it gets more water? What is the IV? What is the DV?"
Teacher: "(Slide 9: Example 2 - Answers) The Independent Variable is the Amount of water the plant gets. The Dependent Variable is the Plant height. Good job!"
Guided Practice: Worksheet Time! (10 minutes)
Teacher: "(Slide 10: Your Turn! Worksheet Time!) Now it's your turn to be the scientist! I'm handing out the Variables: Cause & Effect Worksheet. We'll do the first one together, and then you can work on the rest by yourselves or with a partner."
(Distribute worksheets)
Teacher: "Look at number 1 on your worksheet: 'A scientist wants to see if plants grow taller when they get more sunlight.' We just did this one! What did we say was the Independent Variable? What were we changing?"
Teacher: "Right, 'Amount of Sunlight'! Write that down for IV. And what was the Dependent Variable? What were we measuring that depends on the sunlight?"
Teacher: "Yes, 'Plant Height'! Write that down for DV."
Teacher: "Okay, now you try the rest. Remember: IV is what I change. DV is what depends on what I changed. I'll be walking around to help if you get stuck."
(Circulate and provide support. Encourage students to explain their reasoning.)
Cool-Down: Quick Check (5 minutes)
Teacher: "(Slide 11: Remember!) Alright, scientists, let's wrap up! Can anyone tell me in your own words what an Independent Variable is? What is the easy way to remember it?"
Teacher: "Excellent! It's what I change. And what about the Dependent Variable? How do we remember that one?"
Teacher: "Perfect! It's what depends on what I changed. You all did a fantastic job today. We learned how to find the cause and effect in science experiments. Please turn in your worksheets. Great work, everyone!"
Warm Up
Variables Warm-Up: What Changes?
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Directions: Think about these everyday situations. What is one thing that causes something else to change?
1. If you eat more healthy food, what might happen to your body?
I change (the cause): Eating more healthy food
What changes because of it (the effect):
2. If you read a book for a long time, what might happen to how many pages you read?
I change (the cause): Reading a book for a long time
What changes because of it (the effect):
3. If a plant gets no water, what might happen to the plant?
I change (the cause): Plant gets no water
What changes because of it (the effect):
Cool Down
Variables Quick Check
Name: _________________________
Date: _________________________
Directions: Answer the questions below in your own words.
1. What is an Independent Variable?
Hint: What does the scientist DO?
2. What is a Dependent Variable?
Hint: What HAPPENS because of what the scientist did?
3. Imagine you want to see if playing video games more makes you better at solving puzzles. What is the Independent Variable (IV) in this idea?