Sink or Float Challenge!
This lesson challenges young learners to predict and test whether different everyday objects will sink or float in water. It introduces basic concepts of density and buoyancy through hands-on experimentation. Children will observe, compare, and describe their findings.
The lesson goal is in this spark, your learner will predict whether common objects will sink or float, test predictions by observing objects in water and describe observations about objects that sink or float.
What You Need
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Learning Guide
Step-by-step guidance. No preparation required.
- 1
Introduction5 Min
- Discuss their experiences with water.
- Move on when Student engages in conversation and shows curiosity about objects in water.
Photo by Karen Laårk Boshoff on Pexels - 2
Explore & Plan8 Min
- Gather the experiment materials.
- Pour water into the tub.
- Choose a first object.
- Ask for their prediction.
- Explain 'float' and 'sink'.
- Move on when Student has gathered materials and made at least one prediction for an object.
Photo by Jan van der Wolf on Pexels - 3
Discussion6 Min
- Discuss the reasoning for their prediction.
- Move on when Student can explain their reasoning for at least two predictions.
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels - 4
Activity9 Min
- Gently place an object in the water.
- Observe what happens.
- Describe if it floats or sinks.
- Test more objects.
- Move on when Student has tested at least 3-4 objects and observed what happened to each.
Photo by Arthur Krijgsman on Pexels - 5
Summary2 Min
- Share one thing learned today.
- Move on when Student shares one key takeaway or observation from the activity.
Photo by Takuya Hozumi on Pexels
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