What does a traditional lesson look like? States of Matter

How to make a potentially boring topic even more boring. How to make a potentially boring topic more interesting.

What state is this? What would you expect if something is:  a solid?  a liquid?  a gas?

So what state is this stuff?

What state is this? (more directed) Examine with a magnifying lens. Exhale gently on the shaving cream. Rub some between your fingers. Carefully place a penny on top and observe. Leave overnight and observe again in the morning. Special teacher tip: Put shaving cream directly on the students’ desks. After they have observed it, they can use wet paper towels to clean their desktops.

Are there really only three states of matter?

Choosing Your Activity

Activity Evaluation What will they learn about? What do the students do? Is this simple and affordable? Is this inquiry?

What does a cookbook lab look like? Precise procedures. Assigned factual questions. Single correct explanation provided by teacher.

Problems with Cookbook Activities Students don’t have to think. The objective becomes finishing the procedure. There is often little transfer from lab to theory.

Activity Requirements Must be substantially inquiry-based. Does not have to be an original idea, but you must contribute significant improvements. Must take ~40 minute class period. If your activity requires a longer time frame, you must:  Describe the additional steps.  Provide examples of the end products.

Activity write-up includes: Title Rationale / student objectives Content background Materials list Prep instructions Safety instructions

Activity write-up includes: Procedure Assessment tools Discussion questions Extension activities and web links

OOBLECK: Mix 2 parts cornstarch and 1 part water.  Pour the water into a Ziploc bag.  Add food color to water (optional).  Add cornstarch a little bit at a time.  Close bag and knead the contents as needed. You have Oobleck when you can squeeze as a solid and pour as a liquid.  Add a few drops of water if the Oobleck is crumbly.

GLURCH: Pour 1 tablespoon of Elmer’s Glue into a snack-size Ziploc bag. Add 1 tablespoon of a saturated Borax solution. Add food coloring (optional). Zip the bag shut and begin kneading it to mix the contents.  This may take a few minutes.