Ice, Ice Baby

Students will explore how temperature can change the states of matter.  The essential question is: Why does ice melt faster when it is placed in  one bag compared to being place in a bag that is doubled or tripled?  The picture book Cocoa Ice is used in this lesson, however not necessary for this lesson. Includes several downloads to use along with the lesson. This resource addresses the learning expectation because students explore the states of matter with this experiment.  

Weblink address (URL): 
Ice, Ice Baby

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 
  • demonstrate curiosity, initiative and creativity by planning and conducting simple investigations.
  • relate changes in states of matter to changes in temperature.
Essential and guiding questions: 

Why does ice melt faster when it is placed in one bag compared to being placed in a bag that is double or tripled?

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Differentiation suggestions: 

For a novice child the teacher may partner said child with a mastery level or above mastery level child in a cooperative group setting.  For a sight impaired child the teacher may place this student with a partner to explain each insulator and to help record answers.

Helpful Hints

Materials:
Picture book: Cocoa Ice,  by Diana Appelbaum,  Ice Observations Sheet, ice cubes of similar size 6 brown paper bags (lunch sack size) per cooperative group.(Groups should not have more than 3 students in each)  

References

Contributors: 
Lisa Courson
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation