Sort objects by observable properties, such as size, shape, color, temperature (hot or cold), weight (heavy or light), texture, and whether objects sink or float.
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Description |
Lesson 1 - Responsible Sorting | This is the first of three lessons integrating responsible citizenship in the classroom. Students will define responsible citizenship while sorting objects by their physical properties in this integrated lesson plan. |
Design a Tub Toy - An Engineering Design Challenge | This Engineering Design Challenge is intended to help students apply the concepts floating and sinking in an engineering design challenge. |
Matter Man | Students will be able to build a model of a snowman by using different states of matter. They will be able to use their prior knowledge of understanding that almost everything is made of matter. Then, they will use information learned to design and create a "Matter Man" and its environment. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom. |
Terrific Toy Company | The Terrific Toy Company needs the help of students to sort toys into value packs. The students will use observable properties of the toys to sort them and create three example packs. Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom. |
Sink or Float? | This lesson helps students explore different objects that may sink or float. The teacher will begin the lesson with two candy bars. The students will be able to touch and feel the weight of the candy bars and make predictions on whether the candy will sink or float. After the teacher performs the investigation students will be broken up into groups of three to four and will look at ten different objects and predict if they will sink or float. The students will record their predictions. Fill out a table with there findings and write about why there predictions were correct or incorrect. By the end of the lesson students should understand what a prediction is. They should also understand that objects with more air float. |
Matter is EVERYWHERE Part 4 | Through exploration and discussion, the students will identify whether an object sinks or floats as a property of matter. Students will also sort objects by whether the object sinks or floats. This lesson is part 4 of a 4 part unit on Properties of Matter. During each lesson, the students will explore specific properties of matter through hands-on activities. |
Matter is EVERYWHERE Part 2 | Through exploration and discussion students will identify texture as a property of matter. Students will develop vocabulary related to describing texture. Students will sort objects by texture. This lesson is part 2 of a 4 part unit on Properties of Matter. During each lesson students will explore specific properties of matter through hands-on activities. |
Matter is EVERYWHERE Part 3 | Students will classify matter by temperature. Students will explore and come to conclusions about the temperature (hot or cold) of matter. This lesson is Part 3 of a 4-lesson unit on the Properties of Matter. |
Matter is EVERYWHERE | Students will identify matter that is in their environment. Students will sort objects by the observable properties size, shape, color. Students will explore and come to conclusions about the size, shape, and color of matter. This lesson plan is part 1 of a 4 part unit which addresses properties of matter. (The properties of temperature, texture, weight, and ability to sink or float will be addressed in subsequent lessons). |
Name That Fruit! | In this lesson, students, will read three informational texts about fruit. Students will identify key ideas and details in each text and use illustrations to help them identify the key ideas. This lesson also incorporates a science standard that asks students to sort objects by color, shape, and size. After reading each text, students will participate in several hands-on activities to sort fruit. |
The Main Idea Matters! (A Lesson on Liquids) 2 of 3 | This lesson teaches main idea and details incorporating a science lesson on liquids. |
Rocks, Rocks, Everywhere | The students will be able to sort rocks based upon color, hardness, texture, layering and particle size. |
Classifying Candy 1 | Students will develop two binary classification systems using concrete objects. The classification systems will be based on two different properties of the concrete objects.
The task assesses students' abilities to make simple observations and apply their understanding to classification.
This task is designed to take students approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. |
Sink or Float? Inquiry Investigation | Students will predict which objects sink or float in water. They will observe, describe, and keep records about what happens when objects are placed in water, and determine whether there is consistency in their own and classmates' results. They will generate ideas about characteristics of materials that sink or float, and will ask questions about physical properties of matter. |
Shell Sorts | A resource as plentiful as seashells on the beaches of Florida provides a great springboard for teaching about sorting objects by texture, size and shape. Your students will never look at these beautiful objects in the same way! |
Float or Sink? | This lesson builds on lessons regarding the different properties of solids by having students explore how different objects float or sink when placed in water. |
Properties of Solids | This lesson (intended to be used with other sorting lessons) allows students to understand the basic concepts of matter and properties of solids. This lesson involves the creation of a vocabulary chart with a child-friendly definition of matter and a Thinking Map with the varying properties of solids that students can use to sort different objects. Students explore two different objects and record their observations about the objects' properties. |
Sink or Float | Students make predictions and test and sort a variety of objects based on whether they sink or float. |
Sorting Matter | Students will recognize that matter can be sorted by various properties. |
Build a Better Boat | This lesson gives the students an opportunity to recognize the properties of objects (sink and float) as well as working collaboratively to solve problems. This lesson incorporates design challenge aspects at a level that is appropriate for young students who are just beginning their formal education. |
Main Idea: Where is Matter? | This lesson teaches main idea and details incorporating a science lesson on matter.Teachers will utilize a KWL chart to help assess students' background knowledge, as well as what they want to learn, and what they have learned at the end of the lesson. An informational text entitled What is the World Made of? All about Solids, Liquids, and Gases will be used throughout the lesson. As a summative assessment, students will write a summary which identifies the main idea and key details from this text. |