What is happening?

What is happening?

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about writing what you see happening in an investigation.
How to do this task: 
Watch your teacher carry out each activity below. Then write a sentence describing what has happened. Use the words in the box to help you. The first one has been done for you.
 
Melts Mixes Dissolves
Does not melt Does not mix Does not dissolve
 
a)
Add a teaspoon of sugar to a cup of hot water and stir. Watch what happens. Then write a sentence to describe what you saw.
The sugar dissolves in the hot water.
 teaspoon of sugar near a cup of hot water
b)
Place a teaspoon of butter into a hot pot.
 
 
 
 butter near a hot pot
c)
Place a teaspoon of jelly crystals into a bowl and add 1⁄4 cup of hot water.
 
 
 
 
 
d)
Place some ice cubes into a hot pan.
 
 
 
 ice cube on a hot pan
e)
Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water and stir.
 
 
 
 teaspon of salt near a glass
f)
What does melting mean?
 
 
 
 
 
  
g)
What does dissolving mean?
 
 
 
 
  
Task administration: 
Equipment:
Sugar; hot water; cups; butter; pot or pan; bowl; jelly crystals; ice cubes; teaspoons; salt.
  • This practical task requires the teacher to demonstrate the activities.
  • Students write a sentence on what they saw happen using key words such as melts, mixes, does not dissolve, does not melt, etc.
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
Science, Understanding about science, Material World
Keywords: 
changes, melting, dissolving, observations, vocabulary
Description of task: 
For this practical students observe some activities which illustrate melting and dissolving. They write sentences about what they observe and then write what they think melting and dissolving mean.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss how scientists look very carefully, and describe exactly what they see.
Making Better Sense: 
Dissolving
Answers/responses: 
a) Given
b) The butter melts
c) The jelly crystals dissolve
d) The ice melts
e) The salt dissolves
f) Mentions a solid becoming a liquid (due to heat)
g) Mentions that the substance/item can no longer be seen