This unit has been devised to support children's work in third and fourth in understanding the concepts of floating and sinking. As well as the on-line examples provided in this unit, children will also need to experience practical examples so that they can gradually build up their understanding of factors which influence floating and sinking.
The curriculum objectives in this area are noted in the strands outlined below:
ForcesThe child should be enabled to:
- investigate the pushing force of water (SESE Science Curriculum , Strand Unit: Forces: p. 65)
- compare floating and sinking in fresh and salty water (SESE Science Curriculum, p. 65)
- design and make a boat or raft using an increasing variety of materials (SESE Science Curriculum, p. 65)
- identify and investigate a range of common materials in the immediate environment, water (SESE Science Curriculum, Strand : Materials, p. 66)
- recognise that materials can be solid , liquid or gaseous
- describe and compare materials, noting the differences in colour , shape and texture (SESE Science Curriculum, p. 66)
- investigate the characteristics of different materials when wet and dry (SESE Science Curriculum, Materials: Mixing and other changes, p. 67)