Grades: K-4
Author: Diane Zak
Source: Adapted from Mother Goose Asks "Why?", Discovery Bottles
This lesson uses a "Sink/Float Discovery Bottle" to teach students how to conduct a simple investigation, use simple equipment to make observations, use observations to arrive at a reasonable explanation, and to communicate their findings and explanations. This lesson will also teach students about the properties of objects that sink and float.
What should students know as a result of this lesson?
What should the students be able to do as a result of this lesson?
Engagement
Review PREDICTING with the class: The idea (hypothesis) from previous experience is used to make a prediction (what you think will happen) that can be tested.
EXAMPLE: Two balls (one large: volley ball, one small: golf ball) or (one heavy: soft ball, one light: tennis ball)...Which ball will hit the floor first when both are dropped from the same height and dropped at the same time?
Test your predictions:
*It may be necessary to drop the balls a few times to make sure they are hitting the floor at the same time. Tell the students that when they made a guess about what would happen to the balls, they were making a prediction. Scientists make predictions about what they think will happen when they test something. Tell the students that today they will be making predictions - they should use what they already know to make their predictions.
Assessment: Use the students' input to make a class chart or poster illustrating the steps involved in making predictions.
*If the students need help with the answers, prompt them - What was the first thing they did with the balls? (Looked at them, touched them, lifted them). What was the second thing they did before the balls were dropped? (Made a prediction/guess about which ball would hit the floor first). What was the last thing they did? (Dropped the balls to find out if their predictions/guesses were correct).
Exploration
Allow the students time to observe and make predictions about which objects, in the bottle, will sink and which objects will float.
Assessment: Monitor the students' work to make sure they are following the correct procedures, making observations, and recording data accurately. Redirect their attention to the task, as needed. Make sure students are employing safe practices as they conduct the experiment. Answer students' questions regarding procedures.
Explanation
Students report their findings.
Assessment: Listen to students' accounts of their findings to judge if their reports are supported by the findings that you observed as experiments were being conducted. Ascertain knowledge of sinking and floating by asking questions. See above # 1-10. Make a class poster illustrating and labeling what you learned about objects that sink and objects that float. Older students could make a cartoon, with a minimum of 5 or 6 sections, explaining the kinds of things that sink and the kinds of things that float. Younger students could draw a picture depicting things that sink and things that float.
Elaboration
* If they find it necessary to replicate their trial, this would be a good time to talk to the class about how important it is for scientists to do an experiment many times to make sure their results are accurate. If an experiment does not turn out as expected, it does not necessarily mean you did anything wrong. A failure raises more questions, which leads to more inquiry and more tests.
Literature:
Assessment: Ask questions to ascertain students' understanding of things that sink and things that float. See above # 1-2. Cut out pictures from magazines. Create a poster with pictures of objects that they predict will sink on 1/2 of the poster board and objects that they predict will float on the other 1/2 of the poster board, based on their conclusions from their prior experiments.
No prerequisite skills are needed.
NGSS Standards:
National Standards:
Ohio Standards:
Predicting: What do you think will happen? The idea (hypothesis) from previous experience is used to make a prediction that can be tested. A hypothesis is an educated guess, based on observations and experiences. Correct or incorrect predictions, in science, don't matter. What does matter is that the prediction leads us to a test that can lead us to the truth. We make predictions when we guess the outcome of an experiment.
Making careful observations provides us with information. We can use this information to make predictions about possible answers to our questions. Our answers are based on our observations and previous experiences. We make predictions in every day life. Example: Will it rain? Based on our observations of wind direction, clouds, and humidity, we can predict whether it will rain. We can predict which amusement park ride is the most thrilling. A prediction must be one that can be tested. One possible way to test this might be to take your pulse before getting on any ride. At the end of a ride, immediately take your pulse. The ride that causes your pulse to increase the most might be the most thrilling.
If the density of an object is less than the density of water, it will float. If the density of an object is greater than the density of water, it will sink. The density of a fresh egg is greater than that of an older egg because it loses water through the tiny pores in the shell. So, don't eat an egg that floats in fresh water. It's spoiled. If you save an egg several days past the expiration date, you will be able to demonstrate this to the students. Keep checking the egg at home to make sure it is ready to float in time for your demonstration.
Demonstrate how the density of water may change: Place a fresh egg in a clear glass of water. It should sink to the bottom. Gradually add salt. As more salt is added, the egg will begin to float. You can get the egg to remain in the center of the glass before it floats to the top. (Sink and float at the same time - neutral buoyancy). By continuing to add salt, the density of the water is increasing. The egg will eventually float on top of the water.
Remind students to use materials for the intended purpose; no horseplay in the lab; do not to put objects in their mouths; do not share materials with the other students. Be careful about spills; report any spills to the teacher.
Knowing what sinks and what floats is necessary when building boats, ships, and submarines. It is useful for making flotation devices for swimming such as "wings" for arms of young children, rings and chairs that float, life jackets, life preservers and using the technology that allows some airplanes to land on water.
See Learning Cycle, Exploration, and Elaboration Assessment, Student worksheet
Grouping Suggestions: Grouping is not necessary
Pacing/Suggested Time: Two class periods