Salt Water and Fresh Water

Objectives & Outcomes

Students will understand that sea water is salty and has a different chemical makeup from fresh water, by following scientific procedure and retelling through illustrations.

Materials Needed

• two bowls
• two raw eggs
• popsicle sticks
• salt
• inflatable globe

Procedure

Opening to Lesson

Ask questions about their prior knowledge and the different types of bodies of water. Fill two bowls with water. Add salt to one bowl and use Popsicle sticks to ‘taste test’ the different types of water. Identify differences between salt water and freshwater… Relate to students through identifying when they taste fresh water (drinking, bath, swimming in the river) and when they taste salt water (swimming in the oceanat the beach). Add to K.W.L. chart (Actively listen as students explain their understanding of the objective and assist in K.W.L. chart.)

Body of Lesson

Direct Teaching

Explain to the students we are going to do an experiment to learn more about Freshwater and saltwater… but first, we need to learn about how to do an experiment! Watch YouTube video of scientific method outline. (Ask guided questions and discuss the video as a class)

Guided Practice 1

Next, show an egg and ask what they think will happen if we put it in freshwater? Hypothesize as a class and then draw the prediction on the board, according to student’s answers. Place the egg in the bow and watch it sink. Have students draw the result. (Monitor closely and provide multiple examples or re-watch the video if needed)

Guided Practice 2

Next, ask what they think will happen if we make the bowl saltwater? Have students independently draw their predictions. Dissolve salt into the bowl until the egg floats in the middle. Discuss the results and have students draw the results. (Ask guided questions and discuss the video as a class)

Independent Practice

Divide students into pairs and assign each group an object. Have students go through the scientific method together, and determine what would happen in saltwater and freshwater. (Use proximity to walk around the room and assist students as needed, provide time for reflection and assessment, and review final drawings.)

Closing

Have students share their results and discuss as a class. Also add to the K.W.L. chart

Assessment & Evaluation

Through guided questions, close monitoring and informal observation, the teacher will be able to assess students ability and understanding of the subject being introduced. Through individually assessing and reviewing student drawings of their predictions and results, as well as eliciting responses when finalizing the KWL chart, the teacher will be able to evaluate students.

Modification & Differentiation

Upper level learners will have the opportunity to write sentences instead of drawing pictures in order to explain their predictions and results of the experiment. Lower level students can use the extra resources provided by the teacher in order to understand the objective better. In addition, a word wall will be available to students who need extra help articulating the experiment aloud or on paper. 

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