This lesson will demonstrate to students that matter, such as salt, may seem to have disappeared when it is dissolved in water, but it is still there.
For each team:
Dissolving a solid in liquid, such as table salt in water, is a physical change because only the state of the matter has changed. Physical changes can often be reversed. Allowing the water to evaporate will return the salt to a solid state. Although the salt may not recrystallize into the same uniform crystals you started with, it is still salt. When salt is dissolved in water, the water tastes salty because the salt is still there. It has not combined with the water to cause a chemical reaction.
This activity may take a few weeks to complete, so start it at the beginning of your study of matter. By the time the water has evaporated the students should have a good understanding of the difference between a chemical reaction and physical change.
1-Use science process and thinking skills.
2-Manifest scientific attitudes and interests.
3-Understand science concepts and principles.
4-Communicate effectively using science language and reasoning.
Invitation to Learn:
Show the class a glass of water and have them list its physical properties.
Next show them some salt and have them list its properties. Pour approximately
one tablespoon of table salt into the water and stir until all the salt has
dissolved. Ask the class to describe the salt water. Say: "You can't see
the salt; where did the salt go?" Have someone taste the salt water and
describe how it tastes. Ask: "Where has the salt gone?" (It's still
in the water; you can taste it.) Have the students suggest ways that could be
used to get the salt back out of the water. Then have teams complete the Instructional
Procedures below.
Instructional Procedures:
Cooperative teams of 3-5 should complete the following procedures: (See "Team
Procedures" in the attachments)
You may want to consider having part of the class do this activity using sugar or baking soda. Then allow the teams to compare data at the completion of the procedures.
Use this rubric to assess your students ' performances:
Student 's Name ____________________________________
4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
Journal Page |
Descriptions and data clear and accurate. All observations
completed. |
Descriptions and data mostly clear and accurate. All observations
completed. |
Descriptions and data somewhat clear and accurate. All obervations
incomplete. |
Descriptions and data unclear and inaccurate. All observations incomplete. |
Participation in Activity |
Used time well and focused attention on the activity. | Used time fairly well. Stayed focused on the activity most
of the time. |
Did the activity but did not appear very interested. Focus
was lost on several occasions. |
Participation was minimal OR student seemed negative about
participating. |
This lesson is part of the Fifth Grade Science Teacher Resource Book (TRB3) http://www.usoe.org/curr/science/core/5th/TRB5/. The TRB3 is designed to be your textbook in teaching science curriculum to your students. This book covers all the objectives of each standard and benchmark. If taught efficiently, a student should do well on the End-of-Level (CRT) tests. The TRB3 is designed for teachers who know very little about science, as well as for teachers who have a broad understanding of science.