Lesson Plan - Waterproof or Not?

Component

The student understands that all matter has observable, measurable properties
The student uses productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models (charts and graphs)

Objectives

1. Discuss the term "waterproof" and why it is important for some objects to be waterproofed
2. Create a list of objects that the students think are waterproof
3. Have students bring in these items
4. Conduct activity "Waterproof or Not"
5. Divide class into small groups
6. Give groups copy of  Waterproof or Not science sheet. 
7. Ask groups to:
   1. predict which items will be waterproof
   2. determine a procedure of testing items
   3. test each item and record results
   4. explain why item is waterproof or not (what are its properties?)
8. After collecting data about what objects are waterproof or not, have students create a spreadsheet then graph to represent their findings. Use the spreadsheet/chart and table application from any word processing program. Learn how to make a graph at these sites Charts and Graphs and Graphs
9. Vocabulary: graph, line graph, pie graph, bar graph, scatter graph

Competency

Using the scientific method process skills in hands-on group investigation, the student will determine which objects are waterproof and which are not waterproof and will create and publish a graph representing data collected..

Extension Activities

• Using an almanac, have students discover the places (either nationwide or worldwide) that are the wettest, hottest, coldest, snowiest, driest and windiest. Then, locate these places on a globe, large map or desk map. Students can then write mini weather reports about their favorite "extreme" weather location. Fact Book
• Brainstorm weather conditions at places in the world or in the USA that are the wettest, hottest, coldest and so on. Using the five senses, ask students to describe what a day would be like at one of these places. Fact Monster
• Read about weather events at the Franklin's Forecast Weather Index

Homework

After investigating five day weather forecasts in newspaper or online, construct a graph depicting temperature, wind velocity, humidity and rain fall for those days.

Field Trip

Go on a virtual field trip on the NASA web site NASA Earth Observatory to learn about earth's atmosphere, to see pictures of the earth from space , and to learn about forecasting fury.

Resource

Great Investigations One Step at a Time. The National Learning Center. 1987.