Solids & Liquids
Investigation 4
Part 1
Solids and Water
Students investigate mixtures made of water and familiar solid materials. They observe and discuss the changes that occur immediately and set the mixtures aside for a day. Students observe the mixtures, note changes, and graph the changes. They attempt to return the solids to their starting condition by drying. (from the FOSS teacher guide, 2002 edition)
Students will put familiar solid materials such as candy, raisins, and cookies in water. Students will observe the changes that take place as the water evaporates.
3. Lesson set up and Management
- PC01 1.1.1 Use properties to sort natural and manufactured materials and objects, for example, size, weight, shape, color, texture, and hardness.
- PC02 1.1.4 Observe and examine physical properties of earth materials such as rocks and soil, water (as liquid, solid, and vapor) and the gases of the atmosphere.
- SI01 1.2.5 Know that matter can undergo changes of state such as evaporation, condensation, or freezing and thawing.
- IP01 2.1.1 Ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
- IP02 2.1.2 Plan and conduct simple investigations using appropriate tools, measures, and safety rules.
- IP03 2.1.3 Use data to construct reasonable explanation.
- IP05 2.1.5 Record and report observations, explanations, and conclusions using oral and written expression.
- IP07 2.2.2 Design and test a solution to a problem.
- Some solids change when mixed with water; others do not.
- Some solids dissolve in water; evaporation leaves the solid behind.
- Water can be separated from a mixture through evaporation.
3. Lesson set up and Management
* This investigation takes three sessions over a week-long period. Plan ahead on timing.*
Materials:
- All the materials you need are provided in the kit except for a cookie.
- Copy Student Sheet #28, Solid Materials In Water
- Make 4 copies of Teacher Sheets #27, Labels For Solids In Water
- Prepare bags with a label taped on the outside and a solid material inside.
- Have "Anecdotal Notes" assessment sheets available.
Student Management:
Divide the class into groups of four-to-six students. Distribute a different material for each student in the group to observe. It is a good idea to have different sections of the room for each group to work in. Each student will record observations on Student Sheet #28.
You will need to store each group's bags overnight. You can use tubs or pin the bags on a bulletin board. The next day, your students will compare the solid material dry to the solid material in the bag of water. Each student will record observations on Student Sheet #28.
Next, the students will separate their solids from the water. Put the solid materials into ¼ liter containers. The candy and rock salt will dissolve. Pour only 1 bag of each into a ¼ liter container. Sometimes I will pour out a little bit more of the mixture because you want the water to evaporate in 3 or 4 days. Using wide-mouth (high surface area) containers and placing the containers in a warm area such as in a sunny window will also help the water dissolve faster.
After 3 or 4 days, observe the evaporated materials and compare the materials to the original. Be sure to look at the salt crystals. Each student will record observations on the Student Sheet #28. I store these materials along with the student's "What's The Matter?" portfolios in the basins by group; it makes passing out materials much easier. When cleaning up, save the cloth and craft sticks for another day and wash and dry the containers. I assign some students to this task.
WRAP-UP/CLOSING
- Make Word Bank entries.
- Make entries to the "What We Learned" Chart and update the "Questions I Have" Chart.
ASSESSMENT: Anecdotal Notes
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Making Crystals
Recipe: 3T of Borax in 1 cup of boiling water.
Make a snowflake out of 3 white pipe cleaners. Tie a string from the pipe cleaner onto a craft stick. Extend the craft stick over a cup where the snowflake can be immersed in the "snowflake solution" over night.
Math Support:
After the first day of putting the solid materials in water, organize the changes by making a bar graph on chart paper. Directions are on Page 13 of the teacher's guide.