Lesson 15: Float and Sink Copy
Through this lesson, children should be able to:
- Determine that an object floats because it is light for its size and sinks because it is heavy for its size
Let’s get to know this lesson through this quick video:
| Teaching Aids | Student Kit | Workbook |
|---|---|---|
| Empty plastic bottle with cover Float and Sink kit Marbles Flashcards | Floating boat | Pages 29, 30 |
Let’s ‘stretch’ this lesson!
Remind the children that the size of an object does not determine whether it will float or sink. Rather than size, it is density that determines the buoyancy of an object.
Tip: A plastic bottle that is empty will float but so will one that is half-filled with water. This is because as long as there is air in the bottle, it will always float.
What good questions can you ask in this lesson?
| Remembering | Understanding | Applying | Analyzing | Evaluating | Creating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Float or Sink | Is this heavy or light? | Will this float or sink? | Will a plastic bottle float or sink? | Why does the plastic bottle float? | Do you think the plastic bottle will sink when it is full? | Can you suggest a way to make a sinking object to float? |
| Don’t Sink the Boat | What is this? | Will the boat float or sink? | How do you sink the boat? | Why did the boat sink? | What do you think would happen if we put more/less marbles onto the boat? | Can you suggest a way to make a sinking object to float? |