Academy Curricular Exchange
Columbia Education Center
Science

TITLE:    BACKPACK SCIENCE  "SINK OR FLOAT"

AUTHOR:   Wilma Jean Lunt, Parkview Elementary,
          Lamar, CO

GRADE LEVEL:    GRADE 2

OVERVIEW:  Through the use of backpacks, students will
be able to check out a book with a science related
hands on activity.  The story will be recorded along
with the activities involved with sink or float.
Backpacks are made for each of the units at the second
grade level.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of the backpacks is to give
students more opportunity for hands on activities in
science and to involve the parents in science.

OBJECTIVE(s):  Students will be able to:
1.  Indicate three objects that sink
2.  Indicate three objects that float

RESOURCES:
1.  ^Floating and Sinking^, Branley, Franklyn M.,
    (Cromwell, 1967).
2.  MEC  software "Archimedes"
3.  ^Science in the Bathtub^, Marcus, Rebecca B.,
    (Franklin Watts, 1961).

ACTIVITIES:
1.  Listen to story about sink or float that has
    been recorded.
2.  With the objects that have been placed in the
    backpack predict which ones will sink and which
    ones will float.
3.  Fill small tub with water and test which objects
    sink or float.
4.  Record in science journal which objects sink or
    float.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  Backpacks have become a popular
item to check out from the library.  It has been an
excellent way to involve parents with the science
activities.

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