Exploring Our Fluid Earth

My students really enjoyed this lab and it is a nice supplement to the Hoffman Apparatus demonstration. The only challenges that I ran into were that a number of students had either batteries or alligator clips that were not working. We switched out different items to problem solve, but some groups never got their apparatus running.

Although it took a very long time to build up to and complete this activity, I saw that students really enjoyed exploring the properties of water and making real-world connections.

Although it took a very long time to build up to and complete this activity, I saw that students really enjoyed exploring the properties of water and making real-world connections.

This activity allowed students to discovery properties of water and was a great follow-up to the density and buoyancy units. I overheard a student say, "Wow, it's so cool how the water forms a dome."

e.g. I am wondering how to...

e.g. I am wondering how to...

e.g. I am wondering how to...

e.g. I am wondering how to...

e.g. I am wondering how to...

The struggle I have is allowing time for students to explore this activity and still do science fair and now the atom and periodic table. It makes me feel scattered and therefore look scattered and behind in my pacing guide. But, I am learning how to look at a class needs over what is set in a pacing guide and making calls based on individual class dynamics. I encourage class feedback, questions, and discussions hoping to emphasize students understanding that their learning is their responsibility and we work together as a team, all students all teachers. any suggestions?

e.g. I am wondering how to...

I am conducting this lesson over several days due to daily classroom time constraints.

Students enjoyed this activity but we ran out of time to get all the way through part E. We set up part E as a demonstration the next day and proceeded with another activity and at the end of class compared the tubes. Seemed to work well that way for 6th Graders.

e.g. I am wondering how to...

This activiity is used with another activity for students to reflect on and learn the Phases and Modes. The other activity I used was the Moon Phases from Mod. 1. It was difficult to analyze the lesson because I was reflecting on the Modes and Phases, not the moon phases activity. Students worked through the activity questions and most, but not, all finished. The last question gives them a chance to "rate their teacher". It is difficult to read about my "boring" class but I take it as constructive and will try to engage them more with activities.

e.g. I am wondering how to...

I took at least 2 lessons. How long did anyone else do?

I did this activity with my 9th graders to add another activity to our unit on Density, since salinity can be measured with Conductivity meters. They really enjoyed it and were able to learn a little Chemistry early! Attached are the PowerPoint and worksheets I used with my class.

Conductivity Lesson with 9th graders to tie in with salinity.