Embedded Files
Introduction
Introduction
When we conduct an investigation, we need to do a set of tasks, one after the other. We also need to use the skills of observing (looking and listening especially), recording and analysing. Today you will practise these skills and then later in the week you will use them to make slime!
Activity 1 - Observations
Activity 1 - Observations
An observation is all of the information we can gain about an object or an event by using our senses. In Science, we need to observe fully and carefully. Observations can be used to answer questions, form ideas or ask more questions.
Task
Only one object appears in both pictures.
Use your phone or another device to time yourself looking for it.
If you can find it in one minute or less you are highly observant.
In your exercise book or folder, answer the following:
What is the object?
How long did it take you to find it.
Activity 2 - Describing
Activity 2 - Describing
After you make an observation, it is important to record what you observed.
When you record your observations, you are describing what you have detected with your senses.
Only write what you have observed.
Do not give an opinion about your observation unless you are asked to.
It is important to record your observations so that someone else can understand what you detected with your senses.
Task
A student was asked to write her observations about an experiment. Her experiment was to describe a piece of metal called copper. She was told to observe fully and carefully.
Read her report below.
I am doing my experiment at 9:35am on the 20th November, 2019. It is a bright sunny day and it is already quite hot. I can hear my baby brother crying in the next room. In the distance I can hear a dog barking. I can smell a cake cooking in the kitchen. The sample of copper is an orange colour and is fairly shiny. Now I am chewing a peppermint lifesaver and it tastes sweet and minty. I am bending the copper with my fingers.
In your exercise book or folder, complete the following:
Write out the 2 sentences from her report that are relevant (closely connected or appropriate to the matter in hand) observations describing copper.
Explain why the other sentences are NOT needed in the description?
Activity 3 - Types of observations
Activity 3 - Types of observations
Watch the video to learn about two types of observations:
qualitative (said kwol-i-tay-tiv)
quantitative (said kwon-ti-tay-tiv).
Qualitative observations describe what we observe. These observations use adjectives to describe something.
The flower has white petals.
The cat has blue eyes.
Quantitative observations measure what we observe. These observations use numbers to measure something in a quantitative way.
The flower has 20 petals
The cat has 2 eyes.
Both types of observations are important in Science. The experiment we are doing this week will ask for both qualitative and quantitative results.
By putting together these qualitative and quantitative observations, sometimes we can give more information about the subject.
The flower has 20 white petals.
The cat has 2 blue eyes.
Task
Determine whether the following statements are qualitative (describing) or quantitative (measuring). Use this example to help you decide.
In your exercise book or folder, copy and complete the following:
I have three red textas.
My bedroom is painted blue.
A giraffe has a long neck.
Ten of my friends play soccer.
There are pink flowers in the garden.
I talk to my brother twice every day.
Activity 4 - Background knowledge
Activity 4 - Background knowledge
When we conduct an investigation it helps to have some understanding of the topic so that you can make informed predictions and to help you make better observations. For example to observe how many petals a flower has you need to know what a petal is.
Our slime experiment uses some background knowledge about states of matter. The following interactive activity will either introduce or remind you about particle theory and states of matter.
Task 1
Task 1
Complete the survey to check what you already know about the states of matter.
Instructions for using the interactive
Click the States Box on the left side.
Change the temperature on the thermometer from K to oC by clicking on the little arrow.
Before you attempt to answer any of the questions below, play around with the controls.
Make sure you know how to add and remove heat in the simulation and note how temperature changes in the simulation.
You should also observe how each of the atoms and molecules appear in their different states.
Task 2
Task 2
Use the States of Matter simulation to complete the table and questions in the State of Matter activity Google Doc..
Click on the button to open a new tab and view the Google Doc.
Click on the Use Template button to create a copy for you to edit.
Optional activity - Synthesising information
Optional activity - Synthesising information
Research non Newtonian fluids and complete a Frayer diagram to show your understanding of these concepts.
Handing in your work
Handing in your work
Don't forget to hand in the work you completed today!
Your teacher will have told you to do one of the following:
Upload any digital documents you created and any photos you took of your written work to your Learning Management system (MS Teams, Google Classroom for example).
Email any digital documents you created and any photos you took of your written work to your teacher.
Make sure you keep any hand written work you did in your exercise book or folder as your teacher may need to see these when you are back in class.
Student reflection
Student reflection
Let us know how you feel about this lesson.
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