1. Writing A Proper Hypothesis
Using the “If / Then” Method

2. Parts of the Statement Independent Variable:
The condition be studied. It is controlled by the experimenter.
ex. Water
Dependent Variable:
The condition affected by the ind. variable. It can’t be controlled by the experimenter.
ex. Plant Growth
Control:
The condition that is represented in a normal situation.

3. Steps to Writing the “If” section of your Hypothesis
Start your sentence with the word “If”
Write down one of the variables
Connect statement with one of the following:
-is related to
-is affected by
-causes
Write down the other variable

4. Writing the “Then” section of your Hypothesis
Write the word then (following the “if” section)
Make a comment on the relationship between those two variables.
Ex. If section:
If water is related to plant growth,
Ex. Then section:
then the more you water plants, the bigger they will grow.

5. Final “If / Then” Statement
Example:
If water is related to plant growth, then the more you water plants, the bigger they will grow.

6. Let’s Practice!

7. Let’s Practice! With a partner, do the following activities:
Read the story on the paper with the “1” at the top.
Write a sentence that describes in your own words the observations Edison made that did not support his hypothesis.
Choose one sentence from the paragraph and rewrite it in a simpler way so that a 3rd grader could understand it.

8. Let’s Practice Some More!!!

9. Not this Jon Snow……

10. Okay, back to work! With a partner, do the following activities:
Read the story with the 2 at the top.
Write a sentence that describes in your own words the evidence that Dr. Snow used to support his hypothesis.
Choose one sentence from the paragraph and rewrite it in a simpler way so that a 3rd grader could understand it.

11. One more time!!

12. One more time….. With a partner, do the following activities:
Read the story with the 3 at the top.
Write a sentence that describes in your own words the evidence that Roland Sherwood presented to Congress to support his hypothesis.
Choose one sentence from the paragraph and rewrite it in a simpler way so that a 3rd grader could understand it.