Liquids

Learning Experience 1
Conversations about liquids: brainstorm liquids, begin to think about the definition Begin whole-class list of liquids

Learning Experience 2
Begin to explore liquids (oil, water, corn syrup); note and share observations; begin chart of characteristics of liquids Begin chart of what liquids look like, how they move, how they feel

Learning Experience 3
Explore some new liquids; continue to list properties and add to chart; craft definition Begin chart of the definition of liquids

Learning Experience 4
Two sessions: observe drops of water, corn syrup, and oil on wax paper Begin chart of what we have discovered about liquids

Learning Experience 5
Two sessions: 1) Mixing drops on wax paper 2) Observing what happens to drops when we put them in water.

Learning Experience 6
Two sessions: testing materials to see what sinks and floats

Learning Experience 7
Two sessions: How objects sink and float in liquids other than water

Learning Experience 8
Two sessions: turning balls of clay into floaters

Learning Experience 9
Several sessions: 1) making a clay boat that will float and hold as many washers as possible 2) Making boats out of any materials they choose, that will hold as many washers as possible

Learning Experience 10
Making sinkers out of clay and aluminum foil (trying to make sinkers that sink slowly, quickly, etc.)

Oil spill lesson

Long-term learning targets for this unit:


 * I can make careful, thoughtful scientific observations of liquids.
 * I can explain what I observe clearly, so that other people can understand it, both in writing and in speaking.
 * I can make hypotheses (predictions) about what will happen to liquids, and test them out to see if I am right.
 * I can work well as a team with the other scientists in my class.
 * I can persevere and make changes to my discoveries when something doesn’t work.