In this unit, students experiment with materials that float and sink, and WHY they float or sink. The unit also includes some activities with volume, mass, weight, and density. Our first activities involve using graduated cylinders. First, students learn how to read the measurements, then they learn how to find volume of irregular objects using displacement of water. Below are some pictures of this intro activity.
The students did an activity where they drew cards with three random adaptations: one for shape, one for coloring, and one for mouth/feeding. For some, the cards they were given worked very well together and could be a real fish. For other, they didn't quite complement each other. For these, we had discussion about which parts did not work well, and why.
The students also chose a habitat that would be suitable for the newly created fish, as well as its likely diet. Below are some of the creations! |