Science lesson plan · Kindergarten (Reception and Year 1 in England) · 45 minutes
Will it float or sink? Predict and test
Materials and their properties
CCSS NGSS.K-2-ETS1-1CCSS NGSS.SEP 3England: EYFS Understanding the World: The natural worldEngland: KS1 Y1 Everyday materials
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Will it float or sink? Predict and test.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Everyday materials
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: A tray of everyday objects, Sorting hoops, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Everyday materials). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What is a saucepan usually made from? (plastic / fabric / glass / metal) → metalPrompt: Is it hard or soft? Shiny? Can you see through it?
- Which object is usually made of glass? (a key / a paper clip / a window / a toy brick) → a windowPrompt: Picture each object. What does it feel like?
- Which material is made from sand heated until it melts? (wood / wool / glass / paper) → glassPrompt: It is hard and you can see through it.
Hook · 5 min
- Pass round objects made of different materials and ask why each one was chosen.
- Share the objective: Will it float or sink? Predict and test. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Will this float or sink in water: a wooden block?
- Step 1: These things stay on top of the water.
- Step 2: So the answer is: floats
- Answer: floats
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Will this float or sink in water: an ice cube? (floats / sinks) → floatsPrompt: Is it heavy for its size, like metal or stone, or light for its size?
- Three of these float. Which one does NOT? (an ice cube / a key / a plastic duck / a ping-pong ball) → a keyPrompt: Think about what each thing is made of.
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- A ball of modelling clay sinks. Leo shapes the same clay into a boat. What happens? (The boat shape can float. / It sinks faster. / It dissolves. / It turns into wood.) → The boat shape can float.Prompt: Real ships are made of heavy metal but float. Why?
- Will this float or sink in water: a metal spoon? (floats / sinks) → sinksPrompt: Is it heavy for its size, like metal or stone, or light for its size?
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Everyday materials.
- Use concrete materials: a tray of everyday objects.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/kindergarten.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder