Lesson Plan:

Water Experiments
Unit 4: Water Systems on Earth, Grade 8 Science.

By: Brandon Belyea

INTRO/HOOK
In todays lesson we will be spending our time doing various experiments involving water. To
begin the class I will explain the rules for the day and how the students will be split into groups.
Each group will go to a different station where they will spend 7-10 minutes (depending on
number of stations and groups). Once they get there they will find instructions for the remainder
of the experiment.

OVERVIEW & PURPOSE

In this lesson on the Water systems on earth unit in the grade 8 curriculum we will
explore the different properties of water using experiments. There will be 3 different
experiments for the students to try themselves and sheets for them to fill out while
they do it. The sheets will consist of a hypothesis section to be filled out before the
experiment is tried, an explanation of the experiment, and a findings section to
explain what happened during the experiment. The students will not be graded on
their ability to hypothesize correctly but rather on the ability to follow scientific
method, instructions, and complete each station. There will be a timer on the board to
ensure quick and efficient station changes.

CURRICULUM OUTCOMES
1. 111-6 apply the concept of systems as a tool for interpreting the structure and
interactions of natural and technological systems.
2. 208-7 formulate operational definitions of major variables and other aspects of
their investigations.
3. 209-4 organize data using a format that is appropriate to the task or experiment.
4. 210-6 interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer and explain relationships
among the variables.
5. 210-11 state a conclusion based on experimental data, and explain how evidence
 gathered supports or refutes and initial idea.
6. 210-16 identify new questions and problems that arise from what was learned.
7. 211-2 communicate questions, ideas, intentions, plans, and results, using lists,
notes in point form, sentences, data tables, graphs, drawings, oral language, and
other means.
8. 211-4 evaluate individual and group processes used in planning, problem
solving, decision-making, and completing a task.
9. 311-7 describe processes that lead to the development of ocean basins and
continental drainage systems.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to use the scientific method to hypothesize and describe
events in experiments.
Students will be able to follow instructions for experiments.
Students will be able to understand viscosity, surface tension, and water
filtration.

MODIFICATIONS
Group work ensures all students will be involved in the hypothesizing and
learning procedures.
Sheets will be provided to ensure all students keep their notes in the same
format.

MATERIALS NEEDED
1. Mason jar
2. Water
3. Worksheets
4. Sand
5. Rocks
6. Gravel
7. 2L Pop Bottle
8. Paper Clips
9. Coffee filters
10. Elastic bands

VERIFICATION

Students will understand the scientific method used when completing

experiments. There will be three experiments to ensure they understand surface
tension, viscosity, and water filtration. Through their trial of these experiments they
will learn the properties of water and other substances first hand.

ACTIVITY

The first experiment will be an experiment on surface tension. The students will
take a jar and fill it to the rim with water. They will then drop several paper clips in
the jar and notice that the water level does not rise or overflow. They will first
hypothesize what they think will happen and then after the experiment they will
describe what happened and why this was the outcome.

The next experiment will be an experiment on viscosity. They will take several
liquids (water, dish soap, and cooking oil). They will pour these carefully into a glass
and see that each liquid will settle differently. They will first hypothesize where which
liquid will settle in the glass. After the experiment they will explain that each liquid
settled differently and why. This should show them the properties of viscosity.

The final experiment will be an experiment on filtration. The students will take
a 2 litre pop bottle that is cut in half and elastic band a coffee filter to the opening.
They will then put rocks in the bottle followed by gravel and lastly sand. They will pour
dirty water into the mix and watch as it slowly filters through and comes out cleaner.
Before completing the experiment they will hypothesize what will happen and why
they believe this. After the experiment they will record their findings.

Following these experiments the class will come back together to discuss their
findings. We will also discuss the hypothesis they had and why they thought this. If
there is any time left over at the end of the lesson I will show a short video explaining
surface tension.

Sponge Video (For Extra Time)

Conclusion (to be continued next class)

Wrap up the discussion on the specific cultures and continue it into the next day.