Matter: Sink or Float

Explicit instruction/Teacher modeling

• Take out the chart with each object listed.
• Have the students reflect on whether they think each object with sink or float.
• Take votes to see who thinks the item will sink and who thinks the item will float.
• Post the chart to use later for closing the lesson.

Guided practice/Interactive modeling

• Pick two of the objects on the Sink or Float worksheet and test out the predictions with the students.
• Organize students into small teams.

Independent working time

• Have students work with their team to finish the rest of the sink or float activity and determine whether their predictions were correct.

• Enrichment: Have advanced students journal about other objects that might be on the border for the sink or float discussion.
• Support: Give struggling students one-on-one assistance over the course of the lesson.

• Have you students write down about what they predicted and what the outcome was.

• Review the predictions. Make changes to the chart if needed.