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Floating and Sinking
Objectives
To explore that some objects float and some sink.
To make predictions about what they think might happen.
Resources
Plastic tanks or trays filled with water | a range of familiar objects to test e.g. a paperclip, plastic straw | 📄 floating and sinking sheet | Assignment 2
Vocabulary
float | sink | objects | heavy | light | material
Today's Lesson
Assignment
This is an assignment lesson. Please access Assignment 2 for details of what you will need to submit to your student’s tutor.
What to Get Ready
Ahead of the lesson, collect a range of objects, e.g. a paperclip, plastic straw, or stone, to test and prepare a large water tank or tray in an outside area. You could also use a bath filled with water.
Introduction
Introduce your student to the terms ‘float’ and ‘sink’ and discuss their meaning.
Float- the object stays on the surface of the water
Sink- the object falls below the surface of the water
Have you heard these words before?
What does ‘float’ mean?
Can you think of a time you saw something sinking?
Hold up a familiar object for your student to see. Ask your student to say whether they think the object will float or sink in water. Remind your student that this is called a prediction.
Place the object into a clear tank (or tray) of water and ask your student if their prediction was correct.
Main Activity
Tell your student they are going to investigate which objects float and sink in this lesson.
Before they start, ask them to complete the ‘📄 floating and sinking’ sheet with their predictions.
Now, test each object in the water and complete the sheet.
Extra Support
If your student is finding this tricky use two objects and demonstrate one object floating and one sinking.
Extra Challenge
If your student is ready for an extra challenge ask them to look for a pattern in whether objects float or sink, for example:
Do all wooden objects float?
Do all round objects sink?