By: Melissa Camacho
Teacher Notes
Missouri Grade Level Expectations:
Strand 1.A.a.b.c: Properties and Principles of Matter and Energy. Objects, and the materials they are made of, have properties that can be used to describe and classify them
Concept being addressed:
Students will be able to discuss and observe the change in the physical properties of objects using their senses.
Activities to teach the concept exploration:
Students will observe the shapes of crayons as well as the color, size, smell, and texture of crayons. The students will get in groups to discuss their observations. After the group discussion, the students will share their observations with the teacher on chart paper. The students break the crayons and put them into different heated containers, having some containers with the same color and the others with different colors.
Data collected during the activities exploration:
Before putting the different shapes of heated containers in the toaster oven, have the students discuss in their groups what they think will happen to the crayons. Ask the students what will happen to the crayons inside the different shaped containers. Have the students draw pictures of their predictions on paper. Have one of each group come up to the toaster oven to observe the physical changes of the crayons as they melt. Have the students discuss their observations with their group. After the crayons have melted take them out of the oven and put them in each group for the students to observe the objects as they cool. Remove the newly shaped crayons for the students to make more observations about the crayons. Have the students touch the new objects to observe and discuss the texture, smell, and shape.
Data used to derive concept introduction:
After the discussion, write their new observations on chart paper and compare the differences of each. Ask the students what they noticed before, during and after the crayons were being heated. What were the differences in the shapes, texture, and smell of the crayons. Explain that objects experience physical change when being heated.
Extended activity used to apply the concept application:
Have students use different types of liquid, (syrup, water, orange juice, honey) to observe the texture, smell, and shape of the liquids in their original containers. Provide different containers to put the liquids in, to have the students observe and discuss the change of the liquid in its new shape and chart on paper.
Material list:
Two toaster ovens
box of old crayons for each group of six
various shapes of heated pans
cookie cutters, etc.
chart paper
paper for crayons to be placed on
paper for students to draw observations
History of the concept:
As stated by Victor and Kellough (2000), "A physical change takes place when a substance changes form, or state, such as when a solid is changed into a liquid, or a liquid is changed into a gas". By using your sense, you can be able to observe the physical change that has occurred.
Websites:
http://atozteacherstuff.com/pages/212.shtml
http://www.edurf.rog/cgi-bin/prontlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Physical_Science...
Reference:
McLeod, Kathy; McMahon, Rebecca: Shaw, Edward, (2000). Causing Physical Change to Create Art. Science Activities, vol.37, 15-17