AUTHORS’ NAMES:  Natalie Chomiak

TITLE OF LESSON: A Home of Ice and Water

TECHNOLOGY LESSON:  No

DATE OF LESSON: September 27, 2007 

LENGTH OF LESSON:  1 hr / 25 minutes

NAME OF COURSE:  Preschool – 1^st Grade Science

SOURCE OF THE LESSON:  LHS GEMS Guide

                                                    Great Exploration in Math and Science

                                                    Penguins and Their Young – Teacher’s Guide

                                                    By Jean C. Echols
                                              

TEKS ADDRESSED:

§112.2. (2) (B)  plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations

             (2) (C)  gather information using simple equipment and tools to extend the senses

 (4) (A)  identify and use senses as tools of observation; and

             (4) (B)  make observations using tools including hand lenses, balances, cups,

§112.3. (6) (B)  observe and describe the parts of plants and animals

                         (9) (B)  compare and give examples of the ways living organisms depend on each

                                      other for their basic needs.

CONCEPT STATEMENT:         

            Liquid water freezes at 0 °C (273.15 K, 32 °F).  Freezing water involves many issues today. Students should be aware of the transition between water and ice to further their knowledge of geographical and meteorological studies.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to:

interact with water and each other focusing on sensory and inquiry.

observe and investigate water as it freezes.

describe observations and make presumptions .

  
RESOURCES:

            Session 1:

                        For the Whole Group

1 freezer, large enough to hold the milk carton(s) and cups

                        1 waterproof black marking pen

                        1 sturdy, waterproof tray for every 8-12 children

                        For each group of four children

1 large dishpan about 20’ x 15” x 5”, or use a water table

                        1 empty half-gallon milk carton, or 1 loaf pan

                        1 towel

                        For each child

                        1 small plastic cup (3-8oz.)

                        1 change of clothing

            Session 2:

                        For the Whole Group

                        1 Emperor Penguin Poster

                        Optional

                        1 black waterproof marking pen, or black crayon

                        1 ice chest (If there is no freezer at school, make the ice at home and take it to

                        school in an ice chest. An ice chest is also useful if the freezer at school is far

                        from your classroom)

                        Pictures of animals that live on ice, such as polar bears, seals, and walruses.

                        For each group of four children

                        1 large dishpan about 20” x 15” x 5”, or use a water table

                        1 block of ice in a half-gallon milk carton, or loaf pan (from Session 1)

                        1 towel

                        For each child

                        1 cork about 2” high

                        1 plastic fish about 1” long

                        1 chunk of ice in a small plastic cup (from Session 1)

                        Optional

                        1 change of clothing

                        1 black crayon

            Session 3:

                        For the Whole Group

1 Emperor Penguin Poster

                        1 roll of masking tape

                        1 marker

                        Optional

                        1 full length mirror

                        1-3 rolls of adding machine tape

                        For each child

                        1 sheet of paper about he size of the child

                        An assortment of crayons

                       
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:

Students will be working with water and ice which may lead to a change of clothes for the children.  Students will also be measured by height and it will be labeled for the class to see – if you are aware that a student is sensitive about his/her height, tell them to not write their names on the strips.

 
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS, HANDOUTS:

            GEMS GUIDE – Penguins and Their Young

            1 Poster of an Emperor Penguin (located in the GEMS Guide)

 

Engagement		Time: 10-15 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Tell the students that some animals live on the ice.	“What animals can you think of live on the ice?”	[Polar bears, seals, walruses]
Show pictures of animals that live on ice.	“I am thinking of an animal that is black and white and lives on the ice. What is it?” (If they don’t guess, hint and waddle around like a penguin.	[A penguin]

 

Exploration		Time: 30 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
1) Ask questions that encourage the children to talk about penguins. 2) Have the child point out the penguins wing. 3) Tell the children that a penguin is a bird that does not fly.	1) Have you ever seen a real penguin? Where did you see it? What was it doing? What do you like about penguins? 2) What do you think it does with its wings? 3) How do you think it moves on the ice?	1) [Yes]     [At the zoo]     [Waddling]     [They are fun] 2) [swims]     [walks, waddles, slides,     shuffles]
Give each child his or her cup. Encourage the children to share their observations	What does the ice look like? Do you see anything in the ice? How does it feel?	[Soft, ,white, hard] [Bubbles, lines] [soft]

 

Explanation		Time: 10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Gather the children in a circle on the floor.  Encourage them to talk about what they did with the water, ice, penguins and fish.	Would you like to live in a home of ice and water? What would you need?	[Yes, no, explain]

 

Elaboration		Time:  1hr /30min
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Role-playing penguins Let the children pretend they are penguins	What are some things penguins would do on the ice? How do penguins swim?	[children pretend to swim, eat fish, etc]
Pretend the corks are penguins and demonstrate how they catch fish.	How would the penguin catch his fish?	Demonstrate using the cork and fis

Evaluation		Time: 30 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Have each student lay on white paper and outline them to imitate penguins. Let each child color where the feathers, beak, are to be.	Where would the penguins feathers be? Where would the penguins beak be?	Student will have drawn the feathers and beak.