This 3-page 5th grade science sheet records a ruler drop reaction time test done in pairs. Page 1 lists five test steps beside a picture of a 30 cm ruler, then gives a data table with five tries for the writing hand and the other hand, and a column for each average. Page 2 has a bar graph frame with a scale of 0 to 30 cm and three questions about which hand was faster, practice and the nervous system. The key has sample data with averages of 12 cm and 15 cm.
4-LS1-2
“Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways.”
Question 4 asks students to trace the message from eyes to brain, spinal cord and hand muscles, using their own results.
Five numbered steps for the partner who holds the ruler and the student who catches it, with a note that a shorter distance means a faster reaction time.
Rows for the writing hand and the other hand, with columns for Try 1 to Try 5 and an average.
A frame with two labeled columns and a scale from 0 to 30 centimeters in steps of 5. Students draw and shade a bar for each average.
Three written questions: which hand was faster, whether they got faster from Try 1 to Try 5, and which parts of the nervous system worked together.
A sample data table, with tries falling from 15 to 10 cm and from 18 to 13 cm, plus sample answers to all three questions.
Pairs and rulers
Bring 30 cm rulers and let partners swap roles after five tries. A pair can finish the table in about ten minutes.
Class data
Collect each student's averages on the board and compare. Different results make a good start for a talk about fair tests.
Average check
Students add five numbers and divide by 5 to fill the last column. Look at this step before they draw their bars.
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