Density Column Lab LESSON PLAN (INQUIRY)

Teacher: Julie Koshy & Kathy McKee

Subject: Earth & Space Science

Standard:
S1.C2.PO 5. Record observations, notes, sketches, questions, and ideas using tools such as journals,
charts, graphs, and computers.
S6.C1.PO 7. Explain how the geochemical processes are responsible for the concentration of
economically valuable minerals and ores in Arizona and worldwide.
Objective (Explicit):
SWBAT explain how differences in density impact the physical properties and interactions with other
compounds.
Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):
Take accurate measurements of mass and volume using a triple balance beam and reading a meniscus,
respectively.
Explain the difference and relationship between mass and density.
Evidence of Mastery (Measurable Assessment):
Students will complete a table that records their observations and measurements of mass and volume
of each object.
Key vocabulary: density, mass, volume, observation, &
table

Materials: PowerPoint slides, projector, lab

notebooks, density columns (corn syrup, dish
soap, water, oil, rubbing alcohol, & food
coloring), objects (popcorn kernels, crasin,
peanut, peanut shell, grape, lifesaver gummies,
marble, & penny), scales, graduated cylinders,
water

Engage/Set: Complete a warm-up that asks students which cube is more dense and which would be on top of
the other.

Explore

Teacher Will:
Instruct students their objective for the day and
tell them what they need to write in their data
table in their lab notebooks. Also write
predictions of whether or not the objects will
float or sink.
Tell students that they may not begin dropping
the objects until everyone at their table finished
the table and their predictions and have the
teacher check it.

Student Will:
Listen to instructions. Create their data
table including the predictions of if the objects
will float or sink.

Co-Teaching Configuration/Differentiation:
Students who have difficulty writing or drawing so much can be given a table to fill in as they go.

Explain

Teacher Will:

Student Will:
Guide students towards determining the order of Determine the order of the liquids in the
the liquids and what can be inferred based on
density column. Determine the relative densities
the liquid. Instruct students to write the correct
of each liquid based on its position in the density
order of the liquids in the density column.
column.

Elaborate

Co-Teaching Configuration/Differentiation:
Students can be given clues to figure out the order of the liquids.
Teacher Will:
Explain how to find volume using water
displacement and why it is used. Show students
an example of how to calculate density.

Student Will:
Pay attention to the demonstration of
water displacement and calculating density.
Then they will calculate the density of each
object.

Co-Teaching Configuration/Differentiation:
Students that have dyscalculia can use a calculator.
Evaluate:Students will be evaluated based on the process completed to complete the table.