Hypothesis Madlibs

Mrs. Henley’s Name: ____________________________
“Mad about Hypotheses”

As you’ve learned in previous grades the HYPOTHESIS is an educated guess; and that is right; however, it is a little more
than that! It is also important to recognize that it is presented in an “if/then” sentence. This If/then structure show a cause and
effect relationship and helps it to be more than a simple prediction. Ex. I think its going to be hot today!
This is an educated guess, but it is not a hypothesis. It is a prediction.

Important things to recognize about the Hypothesis:
1. A hypothesis has to be about the problem!
2. A hypothesis is a cause/effect “educated guess” about the outcome of the experiment.
3. A hypothesis has to be testable. Can you create an experiment to test your hypothesis? If not, it is just your
opinion or a prediction.
4. A good hypothesis contains two variables. One is "independent" and the other is "dependent."
a. The independent variable is the one you, the "scientist" controls.
b. The dependent variable is the one that you observe and/or measure the results.
c. In future examples of hypothesis statements, the dependent variable will be italized and the independent
variable will be underlined.
5. A good hypothesis forces us to think about what results we should look for in an experiment.
a. To help with this: What do you plan on testing? What changes will you make to test it? What do you
expect to happen differently after?
6. It does NOT have to be correct! If you learned something, your experiment was a success!

CORRECT FORM: Think about this classroom.
If I change _________________, then ________________ will happen.
(cause) (effect/measured)
INCORRECT FORM:
• Trees will change color when it gets colder.
• This is more a prediction of what will happen in the future than a statement showing a cause and effect
relationship. It might be rewritten as:
• If the color of leaves is related to temperature, then leaves of plants in colder temperatures will change colors.
Notice that although it was incorrect the first time; it can be rewritten in the correct form.
• What is the one thing in this experiment you can control or change to find out your results?
__________________________. This is your INDEPENDENT VARIABLE—the one thing in an
experiment that the scientist changes.
• After you change your INDEPENDENT VARIABLE listed above, what do you expect to be different? What
will you measure or observe? ___________________________. This is your DEPENDENT VARIABLE.

INCORRECT FORM:
• Ultraviolet light causes skin cancer.
o What are you wanting to control _________________________________ (Independent Variable)
o What are you wanting to measure/ observe _________________________ (Dependent Variable)
o Can you re-write this into a correct Hypothesis?
If __________________________ is a major source of skin cancer, then ____________________________________.
(cause) (effect/ observe/ measure)

Example of Problem: Can we predict Mrs. Henley’s behaviors?
• If my class comes in Mrs. Henley’s room yelling, then Mrs. Henley will ________________________.
1. Is your hypothesis above about the Problem? Y N
2. Does your If/then statement above show a cause and effect? Something you change and something you can
observe or measure? Y N
3. Can you test this hypothesis above? How? ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________.

4. No! You may not conduct this experiment!!!!
Problem: Does how long you chew Bubble Gum affect how far it stretches?
• If I chew bubble gum for a long time, then ________________________________.
1. Is your hypothesis above about the Problem? Y N
2. Does your If/then statement above show a cause and effect? Something you change and something you can
observe or measure? Y N
3. Can you test this hypothesis? How? ___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
4. No! You may not conduct this experiment!!!! Chewing gum while on campus is against the rules!!!

Complete the Hypotheses:
a. Remember on the independent variable, it is something that can be changed by the scientist.
b. Remember on the dependent variable, it is the observation or measurement you are looking to record.

1. If helium causes ballons to rise, then when I swallow helium I will ___________________________.
a. Independent variable _________________________________________
b. Dependent variable ___________________________________________
c. How would you test this?______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

2. If eyesight alters how we taste, then blindfolded people’s taste will _________________________________.
____________________________________________________________________________________

3. If soft gum stretches farther than hard gum, then the softer the gum _________________________________.
____________________________________________________________________________________

4. If breakfast helps the brain to think well, then on days I don’t eat breakfast I will ______________________.
____________________________________________________________________________________

TRY YOUR OWN!!!!
Problem: I wonder if students perform better with lights on or off in the classroom.
5. HYPOTHESIS: ______________________________________________________________________
6. Independent Variable ___________________________________________
7. Dependent Variable ___________________________________________
8. How would you test this? ?______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

TRY YOUR OWN!!!!
Problem: I wonder if students stay out of trouble more before lunch or after lunch.

9. HYPOTHESIS: ______________________________________________________________________
10. Independent Variable ___________________________________________
11. Dependent Variable ___________________________________________

12. How would you test this? ?______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Part II

You’ve mastered the Hypothesis!
Now for some fun!

Madlibs: Your partner asks for the words in (parenthesis) only. You are not allowed to read the sentences. Only after your
partner has filled in your choices, can you then read your hypothesis.

1. If I ___________, then _________________ will ___________________ on ____________________.
(verb) (name of friend) (verb) (plural verb)
 Independent variable ____________________________________
 Dependent variable _____________________________________
 How could you test this? ____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. If _________________ yells in Mr/Mrs. ______________’s class, then the teacher will ________________.
(name of friend) (name of teacher) (action verb).
_________________________________________________________________________________

3. lf I talk in ________________ person all day, then ______________class will ________________.
(Pick one:1st, 2nd, or 3rd) (name of class) (action verb)
_________________________________________________________________________________

4. If I brush my teeth with ____________ _____________, then my teeth turn ___________________.
(adjective) (noun) (adjective)
_________________________________________________________________________________

5. If a person showers in ________________, then they will have _____________ on their ____________.
(type of condiment/ food) (part of a fish) (pick one: head, nose, toes)

_________________________________________________________________________________

Hypothesis Madlibs

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