This was the first lab that I structured with groups of 6 and it worked out very well. All of the kids were really into the lab and focused. I broke it into 3 sessions: salinity, temperature and then both. For my 7th grade it worked well to do it this way and review concepts before each new 'block'.
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 21:55
How long are your blocks? We have 82 minute blocks at Waimea Canyon. It sounds pretty cool how engaged the students are with these activities! I did the soda one last week and all the kids lit up with thoughts!
Wed, 11/07/2012 - 18:28
I started with this lesson and used Modification A (fresh v. salt water only) with my 5th graders. They loved it! I was so pleased with the level of their enthusiasm and interest, I plan to finish the other sections in upcoming classes. I guess it is my version of breaking the lesson up in to three sessions. I do not have beakers and other lab suppies, so I use large plastic containers. The kids had to stand up and look down at the bag activity. I think it made it even more exciting for them to have to get up out of their seats and peer over the sides of the containers to see what happened. Whatever works!
Fri, 11/09/2012 - 19:28
We broke the lesson into three parts as well. Salinity then Temperature then the "Big Chart". We compared the previous activities predictions and results to the "big chart" predictions & results. We brainstormed and discussed the variables that may have contributed to differences in the results from the previous activities to the "big chart".
Students were engaged and worked well in groups. It was fun!
Mon, 11/12/2012 - 12:36
I also like the idea of breaking this lesson up. We have 90 minute block sessions and ran out of time for all groups to do part "C", testing both temperature and salinity. It is too bad because that was the big idea that I wanted to let them test.
I also got to assess student understanding and misconceptions each time they made a prediction. When predictions and results were inaccurate we discussed the need for more trials and possible cause for variation.
Thu, 11/15/2012 - 18:20
My 9th-grade students enjoy the heck out of this activity, too. We followed it with one of my old favorites involving layering colored water samples in a test tube. Challenge them to use what they know about salinity, temperature and density to make as many layers as possible. This year several of the students asked "Can I take a picture with my phone?" and then shared the pics with family and friends. I had to laugh because I've been running this activity since long before I owned a cell phone...let alone a phone with a camera and internet access.
Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:01
Thats a good idea to break it up into three sessions. (Do you mean three block periods?) I don't know if I have that kind of time yet but will be doing this lab next. I'm a little concerned about the details (containers, etc.) but like most science teachers, "I'll figure it out"!