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Solids and Liquids (STC)
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Students identify and explore the
properties of a variety of solids and Liquids.
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SHOE Home
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In Solids and Liquids, students get to
shake, rattle, and roll (not to mention drip, squish, and stir) an
assortment of objects and materials while engaging in science
explorations clearly linked to their everyday lives. Through the
explorations, students deepen their understanding of the
characteristics and behavior of solids and liquids. Through comparing
and sorting on the basis of a variety of properties, students enhance
their critical thinking skills.
The unit begins with solids. Students examine
solids and sort them using criteria of their own choosing. Discussion
of these criteria leads to the concept of properties. Then, lessons
focus on individual properties of a set of solid objects. Student
groups observe or test the objects for the following
properties:
- Color and shape.
- Whether the objects roll or
stack.
- How far the rolling objects travel after
going down a ramp.
- Hardness (here, students utilize
comparisons).
- Whether the objects float or sink in
water.
- Whether the objects are attracted to a
magnet.
After these investigations, students sort the
solids and have their partners guess the sorting criteria.
The investigation of liquids begins with
students exploring the look and feel of two different liquids. Then,
in their investigations of several liquids, the students do the
following activities:
- Examine drops under a hand lens to observe
size and shape.
- Observe the behavior of liquid samples on
waxed paper.
- Manipulate and observe a small liquid
sample in a plastic bag.
- "Race" drops of two liquids down a slick
surface.
- Observe the results of adding various
liquids to water.
A final lesson gives students the opportunity
to summarize their observations of both solids and liquids and to
make comparisons through discussion and Venn diagrams. And, it gives
you another opportunity to assess the growth in their
understanding.
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