Age: 7 & 10
Science Co-op Session 1: Week 2 – Properties of Solids, Liquids, Gas
Agenda:
- Mayan Creation Myth
- Nomenclature Overview – Solid/liquid/gas
- Air Takes up Space Lab
- The States of Matter Lab: Presto-ChangE-o water Lab
- Supplmental for kids who are interested:
- Radio Lab: Solid as a Rock http://www.radiolab.org/story/259774-solid-rock/
- Radio Lab: Speed http://www.radiolab.org/story/267124-speed/
Looking back after we finished the session, I planned too many activities. Everyone is still getting used to the schedule of arriving at 10:30. So if we don’t start on time, then the kids start loosing focus by 11:30 because they’re hungry.
Mayan Creation Myth
We continue our survey of world creation myth this week by looking at the Mayans. There are several civilizations where the myths are long and numerous. We most often hear about Norse, Greek, Egyptians, Roman, and Chinese. But apparently Mayan is also another one.
I printed all the slides out of the Living Mayan Time website. Then read through the story to the children. Sadly, my story telling delivery aren’t as great as Eclectic Mama. Probably because I get overwhelmed when kids go on tangents and ask questions I hadn’t planned for.
But the creation myth is interesting in itself and I did show the kids the video available on the website when we got home. Did you know they think humans are created from corn?
Nomenclature Overview – Solid/liquid/gas
Because the kids have learned about solids, liquids, gas already in the co-op two years ago, I opted to do just a quick 5 minute nomenclature review for the children who didn’t know it. All I did was ask them what the English and Chinese names are for solids, liquid, and gas and ask for examples.
Air Takes up Space Lab
Material Needed: tray, balloon, baking soda, vinegar, plastic bottle, funnel, instructions
In order to fill up the worksheet, and also reflect the First Great Lesson‘s concept that after the Big Bang, gas expanded to fill the Universe (don’t quote me please), I opted for this demonstration.
First I divided the children up into 2 groups because I wanted them to work together. As I will learn again next week, they’re not quite ready for this yet. Each group has a tray with one balloon and a plastic bottle. On the table are the baking soda and vinegar.
The children are to pour the bottle with 1/3 full of vinegar, then 2 tbsp of baking soda through the funnel to the balloon. Then, very carefully, wrap the mouth of the balloon around the bottle, keeping care to not tip the contents of the balloon into the bottle prematurely.
Once the balloon is on, then quickly tip the baking soda into the bottle. You may have to support the balloon a bit. The children all wanted to repeat the exercise a few times.
Afterward, we discussed why the balloon expanded. (Gas tries to take all available space)
When the kids tried it out, the balloon didn’t expand as much as when I tried it at home the previous night. So we kept adding more and more baking soda into the balloon. Hilariously, the balloon popped when I added too much.
Then Fleur figured out a day later that the reason the balloon didn’t expand was because she gave me baking powder instead!
Tips: Make sure you have a balloon that stretches easily.
The States of Matter Lab: Presto-ChangE-o water Lab
Material Needed: Real Science Odyssey Chemistry eBook
Lastly, we went through the lab worksheet and tried to fill out the properties of solids, liquids, and gas. I want to reiterate how great the RSO ebooks have been for our co-op this year. No longer do I need to create my own or look for ideas when I have none. It gives me a starting point and helps with the procrastination due to not wanting to research.
Vocabulary
- Solid – 固體
- Liquid － 液體
- Gas － 氣體