Task: interpret data from a table and complete two calculations. The context is balancing a see-saw. Assessment focus: using a scientific formula to identify trends.
Task: Predict, Observe, Explain, (POE) activity observing what happens to air in a balloon when it is heated. Assessment focus: behaviour of gases when heated and cooled.
Task: Predict which of three balls dropped from different heights will squash most, explain why, and design an investigation to test prediction. Assessment focus: acceleration and fair testing.
Task: Predict, observe, and explain where a piece of wood floats in a container of water and oil. Assessment focus: flotation related to density; explaining predictions.
Students estimate a division problem, share their methods, discuss the nice numbers and factors method, and then do more problems using nice numbers and factors.
Students estimate a subtraction problem, share their methods, discuss the rounding one number method, and then do more problems by rounding one number.
Students discuss making an interval estimate in multiplication problems (i.e., getting a lower and an upper limit for the actual answer using the front-end and rounding-up estimation methods). They then use this method on two problems.
Students estimate an addition problem, share their methods, discuss grouping nice numbers, and then do a problem using this method, then design a question showing how it uses the method.
Students discuss making an initial estimate in addition problems using the front-end method followed by compensation to get a more accurate estimate. They then use this method on two addition problems.
Task: students, in small groups, discuss a concept cartoon about rolling cans, before making a prediction about which will roll further. Assessment focus: making predictions about friction.
Task: Select cards to show how to control the variables of an investigation into the rolling distance of marbles on different surfaces. Assessment focus: controlling variables.
Students use information in a table about exploding bottles of ginger beer to find the fractions and percentages of bottles that exploded or stayed sealed in given weeks.