English Language Arts Grade 3
Speaking and Listening Standard 1
Mathematics Grade 3
Strand: MEASUREMENT AND DATA (3.MD) Standard 3.MD.2
1 class periods of 45 minutes each
Small Groups
We want to show how the motion of water changes with the incline of a bendy straw from a higher container to a lower container. The low end of the straw has greater weight with air pressure causing gravity to drain the water. This will show the effects of gravity on the motion of water.
Per Group or Whole Class Demonstration:
Students should have previously been taught all of Standard III and Standard IV objective I for the 3rd grade science core.
1. Use Science Process and Thinking Skills
f. Conduct a simple investigation when given directions.
Pedro lived at the top of a mountain in Utah in a fancy house. His best friend, Alexa, lived at the bottom of the mountain. One day Alexa wanted to fill her new swimming pool with fresh water, but her water was shut off. Pedro offered to share his water but didn't want to carry it down the mountain in buckets. What is the easiest way for Pedro to move his water down the mountain to give to Alexa?
Then pose the question how to get water from the large container to the small container without a pump and by using the provided supplies. (Emphasize the following rules: cannot move the large container, poke holes in it, pick it up, pour/ suck the water, etc.) Brainstorm in groups and share orally with the class.
For ELL's write optional hypothesis words like faster, slower, go backwards, do nothing, or stop for them to fill in the blanks.
Identify different siphons that kids would be familiar with (toilet, sink, cleaning a fish tank, cleaning a swimming pool, water towers, blood moving through our veins, etc.)