Group items tagged

5.1.3 "Demonstrate that regardless of how parts of an object are assembled the weight of the whole object is identical to the sum of the weight of the parts; however, the volume can differ from the sum of the volumes."

Extension: Incorporate social studies and language arts- The Cartesian diver is named after Rene Descartes, a French philosopher and physicist. Students can do a research report on scientists that have made significant contributions to the world of science throughout history.

5.4.2 "Investigate the purpose of prototypes and models when designing a solution to a problem and how limitations in cost and design features might affect their construction." This activity can be modified for gifted students by having them make predictions or recommendations about the types of materials that could be added to the boats to improve their design and function. The activity could be modified for younger grades by having them design only two boats and decide which one is better. This would be ideal, because younger students may take more time to build and design their boats.

This has some interesting variations to our pennies in the boat activity. I like the math connection with the bidding slip and making sure they save their boats for later comparisons.

5.4.2 Investigate the purpose of prototypes and models when designing a solution to a problem and how limitations in cost and design features might affect their construction. Differentiation: For special needs students to practice their life skills, give them a Wal-Mart or grocery store add and help them look up the price of one roll of aluminum foil.  Then, help them look up the price of a newspaper.  Assist students in deciding which material was more cost effective, and which material worked the best.  Take a vote on which you would use.

6.4.1 "Understand how to apply potential or kinetic energy to power a simple device"

This activity could be differentiated for gifted students by challenging them to use materials they can find around the classroom other than those provided once they have determined how to successfully build the wheel and axle devices out of the provided materials.

1.1.2 Characterize materials as solid or liquid, investigate their properties, record observations and explain the choices to others based on evidence (i.e., physical properties) 1.1.3 Experiment with simple methods for separating solids and liquids based on their physical properties. Differentiation: For gifted students, have them melt a solid in different ways (microwave, oven, stovetop, heat from sun).  Ask them to predict which will melt the fastest and then record their observations

4.1.1 Describe and investigate the different ways in which heat can be generated.4.1.2 Investigate the variety of ways in which heat can be generated and moved from one place to another. Explain the direction the heat moved. Differentiation: For ELL students, allow them to draw their predictions and also draw which direction they think the heat is moving after testing.

K.OA.1 "Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings2, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations." K.OA.2 "Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within (e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem)." K.OA.3 "Decompose numbers less than or equal to 10 into pairs in more than one way (e.g., by using objects or drawings), and record each decomposition by a drawing or equation (e.g., 5 = 2 + 3 and 5 = 4 + 1).K.OA.4 For any number from 1 to 9, find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number (e.g., by using objects or drawings), and record the answer with a drawing or equation."

Great activities for a winter theme unit!

These activities can be used as sensory counting activities for special needs students.

5.NBT.7 "Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used."

2.2.1 "Observe, describe and measure ways in which the properties of a sample of water (including volume) change or stay the same as the water is heated and cooled and then transformed into different states." This activity can be modified for ELL students by having them record drawings during each observation, rather than writing the words for their observations. This would be a great activity for drawing, because each state looks so much different than the others (solid, liquid, and gas). This activity can be adjusted for older grades by having the students do the same activity with predictions at the beginning of the experiment about what they believe will happen. These students could also make other predictions about other types of matter that would react in the same way the juice ice did. For further exploration, these students could then test their hypothesis regarding other objects and their state of matter.

3.4.2 "Define the uses and types of simple machines and utilize simple machines in the solution to a ―real world problem."

Extension: Our water needs to be clean for so many reasons- not just taking a bath! Students could brainstorm in groups reasons why we need clean, filtered water (i.e. cooking, cleaning, etc.)  Extension: Social Studies- What an eye opening experience it could be for students to learn about third world countries and how lucky we are to not have to worry about having clean water to clean, cook, and bathe with.

1.3.4 "Describe how animals' habitats, including plants, meet their needs for food, water, shelter and an environment in which they can live."

Extension: This is a great way to open up conversation between the students and increase communication skills as they work together to determine what they need in their habitat in order for their living organisms to survive. This could also be a fun language arts cross-curricular activity- students could answer the question "What would your shoebox habitat look like?"

4.NBT.2 "Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form. Compare two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons." This activity can be adjusted for ELL students by using a smaller deck of cards. The game can first be mastered by using only the black cards (positive numbers). Once the student(s) is comfortable with the concept of the game with the positive numbers, the negative numbers (red cards) can be introduced. This activity can be used for younger ages by working with only the black cards, and modeling proper mathematical words, such as "greater than" and "less than".

Extension: This game could include letters (A,B,C) to represent the sides of the polygon, so that the student could put the measurements into an equation. Adaptations: Gifted students could help peers who struggle with finding perimeter or measuring.  ELL students would benefit from the drawing in this activity and use of deck of cards which provide pictures. 

Extension: This game could include letters (A,B,C) to represent the sides of the polygon, so that the student could put the measurements into an equation.  Adaptations: Gifted students could help peers who struggle with finding perimeter or measuring.  ELL students would benefit from the drawing in this activity and use of deck of cards which provide pictures. 

You could tag this activity for "measurement" since it involves perimeter and measuring with centimeter rulers.

5.NBT.7  add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies  Differentiation: Have gifted students multiply up to three dominoes or divide the numbers instead

This would be great to use in an ELL classroom as a way of using vocabulary such as "above", "below" etc and color so that it becomes a following the instructions game where the person is telling you where to put your pattern block. In this case the picture would be the key and the child could make the shape on a blank table.

3.OA.7 "Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 × 5 = 40, one knows 40 ÷ 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers."

I would use an activity like this to incorporate learning into a reward, for example, taking students outside for good behavior, test grades, etc. Keeping hula hoops on hand is an inexpensive way to incorporate physical activity into academic instruction.

Sticky Note: This activity could be differentiated so that each group was working with a different planet in the solar system so that when the exhibits were displayed the class would see the whole solar system.