Measuring Liquid Volume

Summary

This activity will allow students to practice measuring liquid volume with a graduated cylinder in a way that is both engaging and educational.

Materials

• 3 large beakers of red, yellow, and blue water colored with food coloring
• 3 small beakers or cups per student group
• 6 test tubes and 1 test tube rack per student group
• 1 small graduated cylinder per student group
• Day 1 worksheet
• Day 2 worksheet

Instructional Procedures

It is helpful for students to first understand what volume is before introducing the concept of density. I use this activity as my introduction to the concept of volume. Many students believe volume and mass are the same thing.

1. Students will spend the first 45 minutes following a written procedure which allows them to create six colors of the rainbow from the three primary colors.
2. Place students into groups and give each group three small beakers or cups, a graduated cylinder, and a test tube rack with six test tubes.
3. Have the students follow the procedure on the student page day 1
4. The second 45 minutes will be an inquiry activity where the students will write and record their own "recipes" for making cool colors in their test tubes.
5. Allow the students to play with their colors and see what they come up with. I like to have a contest at the end of class and have students vote on which group they think has the best combination of colors in their test tubes.
6. Be sure to emphasize that all color combinations or recipes must be carefully measured and recorded in their data table so that other groups could repeat their work and get the same results.

Assessment Plan

Use this answer key.

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.