Micro-teach III Lesson Plan Devin Lewis

Lesson Title/Topic: Determining the identity of unknown substances using density

Grade level: Science, Grade 6

Target Concept: Calculating density by dividing mass by volume

Standards/Rationale: 112.18 (b) (6) Matter and energy. The student knows matter has physical
properties that can be used for classification. The student is expected to:
(B) Calculate density to identify an unknown substance

Lesson Objectives: Assessment: TSW

By weighing and determining the volume of Identify 12 unknown substances by

unknown substances in order to calculate their determining the mass, volume, and ultimately
density, students will be able to identify the the density of each substance.
substance using a density chart.

The students will be able to demonstrate their

knowledge of the equation D= M/V.

Materials: egg carton with 12 unknown substances, various sized graduated cylinders (10-
50 ml), milligram digital scale, water, paper towels

The teacher will: The student will:

Focus/Mental Set: (PPT slide 1) intro with TSW come up with answers of their own as to how
scene from Treasure of the Sierra Madre where somebody could determine fools gold from the real
the prospectors mistake iron pyrites for gold, thing and how to tell the decoy tank from the actual
followed by a picture of an inflatable decoy tank.
tank from WWII. Students will be asked how
somebody could determine what these objects
really are leading into a discussion explaining
how density is calculated and how it helps
identify unknown substances.
Teacher Input: Using the PPT slides the
following terms and procedure will be defined:
Massthe amount of matter of an object; an
objects weight without gravity
Volumethe space a three-dimensional shape
takes up
Densitymass per volume; D=M/V
Measure the mass of an object using a
balance or scale.
Measure the volume of an object using water
displacement.
Calculate density using the mass and volume
of an object.
Relate an objects density to whether or not it
floats in water.
The density of water is 1 g/mL
Guided Practice:
1. Review safety precautions with students
2. Students predict which objects will sink and
float in a cylinder of water.
3. Students work in small groups of 4-5 to
conduct the lab
4. Students are assigned roles: Number
cruncher, Volume recorder, Weight recorder ,
Density table specialist
5. Students record their findings on the handout
provided for 3-4 practice substances
Independent Practice: Monitor progress
as the students perform the lab
Closure: (PPT slide) review of concepts
and key words
Enrichment: Ask the students to answer the
following question; Who first came up with the idea to
measure volume using the water displacement method
and how did they come up with the idea?
Write down and define the following terms in their
notebooks while viewing the .ppt
Mass
Density= ----------
Volume
Density, Mass, Volume
Procedures
1. Determine mass of the object using a gram scale
2. Determine the volume of the object using a
graduated cylinder and water
3. Determine density by dividing mass by volume
Density of water is 1g / ml
M
D = ----
V Dearly Beloved
1. Observe lab safety rules.
2. Make a prediction as to whether an object
will sink or float in water.
3. Students assigned to different roles will
ensure that they understand how to use
required lab equipment safely and
effectively.
4. Practice determining density on 3-4
substances
TSW break into groups of 4-5 and fill out the
Density handout provided. Students may change
assigned roles as desired.
TSW fill in any blanks in their science journals for
use as a study guide for the unit test.
References:
https://www.wikipedia.org
 Density lab
Name________________
Date________

Pre-lab questions:

1. What two things does density depend on?

_______________________________________________________________

2. If you have a substance with a mass of 30g and volume of

5mL what is the density? How did you find it?

________________________________________________________________

3. Do you weigh or find the volume of the substance first?

Why?

_________________________________________________________________

Complete the lab and record data on the table below:

a. Find the mass of the remaining items in the egg carton by carefully
placing them on the scale without dropping them.
b. Fill your cylinder halfway with water and note the amount in mL.
c. Carefully place the substance into the cylinder of water.
d. Read the volume of the water with the substance in it.
e. Subtract: the new water volume from the volume without the object
= the volume of the object
f. Repeat steps c-e to find the volume of all remaining substances
g. Determine the density of each of the objects using the density
formula: Density = mass Volume
SUBSTANC MASS (g) VOLUME DENSITY g/mL FLOAT?
E (mL)
Exampleu 12.500g 3.5mL 12.500/3.5=3.57 No
m g/mL
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
I have chosen groups and written group cards with students names on them in order to inject the
most diversity into each group and prevent all boy, all girl, all ESL groups etc. Keeping in mind
the pretest scores I want a good mix of knowledge in each group. I used visual aids to the
greatest extent possible, showing how to perform the steps with pictures on the PowerPoint and a
graphic organizer for the lab sheet to keep things in order. The two students that scored 90% on
the pre-test will be in one group and will assist me with the guided practice then go on a web
quest to find the origin of water displacement volume measurement and the story behind it. They
will find out the most dense substance found naturally on earth and the most dense substance in
the universe. After finding a few appropriate pictures to add they will write a few sentences
about their findings in the next class newspaper, XXgrade Scientist.

Groups:

1. Amy, Trenton

2. Bobby, Preston, Lisa, Sofia, Xavier

3. Cassie, Francis, Koren, Olivia, Quinton

4. Edgar, Harvey, Jessica, Maria, Nathan

5. George, Zoe, Rafael, Victor, Winona

6. Demetri, Ursula, Yolanda, Ignacio