Sink or Float

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR QUALITY AFTERSCHOOL LEARNING www.sedl.org/afterschool/toolkits

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Use the following graphic organizer and pictures to help students keep track of which objects float and which objects sink. You may want to create your own larger graphic organizer to include more items. 1. Using the page of pictures, ask students to predict whether each item will sink or float. 2. Ask students to cut out the pictures of the things they are testing. If you are using additional items, provide a similar sheet with pictures of those items or ask students to draw each item on the finished piece. 3. Once students have tested an item, they should glue or tape the picture of that item in the appropriate place above or below the water line. Some objects will float at the top of the water, some will be partially submerged, and some will sink to the bottom. 4. When students have finished, they should have a piece of paper with pictures of things that float at the top of the water line, things that are partially submerged, and things that sink to the bottom. The graphic organizer should reflect where each item falls along the water line. 5. Ask students to think about why some things float and other things sink. • What do the items that float have in common? • What do the items that sink have in common? • What did they learn about things that sink and things that float?

Investigating Science Through Inquiry Physical Science: Sink or Float?

© 2006 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Things That Float

Things That Sink
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SHAMPOO

Rubber Band

Orange

Lava Rock

Marble

Nail

Paperclip

Pencil

Carrot

Leaf

Soap

Sponge

Rock

Stick or Twig

Sinker

Rubber Ducky
N
GO

D WE TR

U

S

CRAYON

I

LIBERTY

1959

Apple

Penny 3

Crayon

CONDITIONER

Boat

T