302 Sinking Things

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Teacher Notes


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Activity OutcomeInvestigating the relationship between volume and capacity.
MTS Set MTS5
NATIONAL Curriculum Using Units of Measurement
Topics Direct Measure
Understand Units
Volume and Capacity
Keywords Volume and Capacity
GroupingWhole class and learning pairs.
ResourcesModelling clay, MAB flat, measuring jug.
Lesson Notes
  • Provide each student with a copy of the activity sheet.
  • Direct pairs to the Investigation and ask: What do you have to find out? What is your opinion? Is this statement likely to be true or false? Why do you think that? Can you tell me how to carry out the experiment to check your opinion? (Pairs read through Materials and Plan and discuss ideas.)
  • Ask: How will you carry out this experiment? Why is it important to carry out the experiment by changing the shape of the modelling clay? What will you be looking for in the experiment? How will you record what you observe? Do you have any further questions?
  • Direct students to set up and carry out their experiments.
  • Move around the pairs and ask: (Reflection) How will you carry out this experiment? Why is it important to carry out the experiment by changing the shape of the modelling clay? What will you be looking for in the experiment? How will you record what you observe? What have you observed so far? Does your information point to this statement as being true or false? Do you have enough information to be sure of your conclusion? ...
  • Bring pairs together to share findings.
ReflectionsSee Lesson Notes. Ask: Is this true: The bigger the object inserted into a container of water, the further the water will rise? Why do you think that? How can you check? Ask: Is this true: The wider and shorter the object inserted into a container of water, the further the water will rise? Why do you think that? How can you check? Ask: Is this true: The heavier the object inserted into a container of water, the further the water will rise? Why do you think that? How can you check?
Internet Links
AnswersNot applicable