Young Scholars Instructional Plans
“What’s the Matter?”
Fourth Grade
Unit 1A Properties
Session Thirteen
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Math and Science
Mastery Objective
Materials
Explain that density depends on both the weight and the volume of an
object.
 Recognize that if an object is more dense than a liquid, the object will
sink and if it is less dense than the liquid, the object will float.
 4.MD.2 Use four operations to solve work problems involving distances,
intervals of time, liquid volumes, masses of objects, and money,
including problems involving simple fractions or decimals and problems
that require expressing measurements given in a larger unit in terms of a
smaller unit. Represent measurement quantities using diagrams such as
number line diagrams that feature a measurement scale.
Teacher Note: Review the Inquiry in Action, Investigating Matter Through
Inquiry (3rd ed.), Investigation 7 “Density” unit overviews provided on pp. 385393. Not all investigations are used. See details in the YSP Session Planners.
For videos, animations, and other information related to this investigation, go
online to: www.inquiryinaction.org, click on the “Density” link in the Review
States of Fundamentals column to view key information and demonstrations.
Another great resource for building background can be found in the Discovery
Education 5-Minute Teacher Preps located on the Gr. 4 YSP Wiki Space site.
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Class set of Math Forum Problem Pooling Tips
Pooling Tips Fundamentals Problem Packet for Teachers
Calculator
Student lab books
Teacher Resources for Investigation Activity 7.6—Changing the density of
an object: Adding material, pp. 427-432
Student copies of Activity Sheet 7.6—Changing the density of an object:
Adding material, pp. 430-431
Teacher Resources for Investigation Activity 7.7—Changing the density of
an object: Changing Shape, pp. 432-434
Student copies of Activity Sheet 7.7—Changing the density of an object:
Changing Shape, page 435 only
Activity 7.6-Materials needed for the teacher demonstration:
 Water
 Large clear plastic container
 Can of regular cola
 Can of diet cola
 Bubble wrap (to cover a soda can)
 Scissors
 Tape
 Paper towel
Activity 7.6-Materials needed for each group:
Div. of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Montgomery County Public Schools © 2012
Young Scholars Instructional Plans
“What’s the Matter?”
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Fourth Grade
Unit 1A Properties
Small water-resistant item that sinks
Small water-resistant items that float like zip-closing plastic bags,
Styrofoam pieces, cork, empty film canisters with lids, etc.
Tape, rubber bands, string, etc.
Materials Notes:
 Be sure you and the students wear properly fitting goggles.
 Have students bring in small water-resistant items that sink such as plastic
toy figures.
 The items students use to make their sinking objects float will vary. Either
provide an assortment of materials or have students bring them from home
Preparing Materials:
 Test your cans of regular and diet cola ahead of time by following the
procedure on p. 428. The regular cola should sink, while the diet cola floats.
 Cue the Discover Education Video Segments: Magic School Bus “Ups and
Downs” to pre-select segments. Students should only watch the following:
 Underwater Expedition: Sinking the Magic School Bus [01:49]
 Weight and the Magic School Bus [03:37]
 Floating: Small and Large Objects [02:00]
 Water: Shoving and Floating [02:43]
 More Facts About Water and Air [02:30]
There will NOT be enough time to watch the entire 24 minute video;
concepts are illustrated by using the selected segments above.
Activity 7.7-Materials needed for the teacher demonstration:
 Water
 2 Clay balls
 Plastic bowl
 Sensitive scale
Activity 7.6-Materials needed for each group:
 Water
 2 Clay balls
 Clear plastic cup, deli container, or bowl
Materials Notes
 In Activity 7.6, students will attach lightweight objects with a large volume
to a small water-resistant item, such as a plastic toy figure, that sinks. The
items students use to make their sinking objects float will vary. Either
provide an assortment of materials or have students bring them from
home.
Preparing Materials:
 Roll 2 balls of clay for the demonstration and for each group. The balls
should be close in size, about 3 cm in diameter.
Div. of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Montgomery County Public Schools © 2012
Young Scholars Instructional Plans
“What’s the Matter?”
Activator
8:45 am – 9:15 am
(30 minutes)
Fourth Grade
Unit 1A Properties
Question of the Day? (Math Forum Activity)
Pooling Tips [Problem #16002]
In Pooling Tips, students work with the idea of redistributing money to
accomplish equal shares. Solving the Extra depends on a correct answer to the
main problem.
1. Distribute Math Forum problem and give students a quick overview of
“tips” for context and clarify that it is separate from paying tax.
2. Ask if students are familiar with the math term “equal shares” and what it
applies to (ex: division and fractions). Tell students to underline the words
“same amount” on their sheet.
3. Remind students to show their work and explain how they solved the
problem.
4. Check the Teacher Packet to see different solutions and teaching
suggestions. A scoring rubric is provided.
Math and Science
Integrated Focus Lesson
9:15 am – 10:00 am
(40-45 minutes)
Investigation 7, Activity 7.6 “Changing the Density of an Object-Adding
Material”
In this activity, students see that a can of regular cola sinks while a can of diet
cola floats. As a demonstration, bubble wrap is taped to the can of regular cola
to make it float. This high-volume but light-weight (bubble wrap) material
increases the volume of the object more than it increases the weight. This
decreases the density enough for the can-and-bubble wrap object to float.
Students will use this idea to make an object that is more dense than water float.
1. First pose the investigation question, “How can you make an object float
when it ordinarily sinks?” and listen to student responses. Remind them
of what they learned about density and how the density of water can be
changed.
2. Complete the soda can demonstration in Step 1 as outlined in the
procedure, then proceed to Step 2 and discuss student observations. Ask
students the questions that are outlined in the teacher guide.
3. Continue with Step 3 and solicit ideas for ways to get the can of regular
cola to float. Discuss questions as outlined in the teacher guide.
4. Introduce the next demonstration in Step 4 and tell students that this
time, you are adding a material to the can to make it float instead of sink.
Complete the procedure for the bubble-wrap demonstration as outlined in
the teacher guide.
5. For Step 5, write the terms mass, volume, and density on the board and
have students turn to a partner and discuss observations from both
experiments using the terms. Have clip art photos of a life jacket and
inflatable pool furniture and pool toys available.
6. Distribute Student Activity Sheet 7.6 Changing the density of an object-
Div. of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Montgomery County Public Schools © 2012
Young Scholars Instructional Plans
“What’s the Matter?”
Fourth Grade
Unit 1A Properties
Adding material. Have students complete #1-4 of page 430.
7. Proceed with Activity Steps 6. First, introduce students to the floating
challenge. Provide a clear container for each group and small items that
float (if students did not bring any usable items from home).
8. Allow students to work with their group to complete the procedure and
complete the rest of Student Activity Sheet 7.6 on page 431.
9. Close with the discussion included in Activity Step 7.
Sensory Break
10:00-10:20 am
(Adjusted- 20 minutes)
Discovery Education-Magic School Bus: “Ups and Downs”
Is there a monster living in Walkerville Lake? That’s what Ms. Frizzle’s class is
trying to find out. The kids try to dive down under the water, but the bus
won’t go. The class has to figure out how to turn their “floater” into a “sinker”
so they can solve the mystery of the underwater monster. We will view this
Magic School Bus episode, to see how they made things float and sink.
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=fd14d3a67c2e-4b75-8a14-c89bccc676a5
Math Science
Integration
Demonstration
10:20 am – 10:50 am
(30 minutes)
1. Only view selected segments. Have students make scientific connections
between the floating and sinking of objects in the cartoon and the floating
items in the investigations that they completed.
Investigation 7, Activity 7.7 “Changing the Density of an Object-Changing Shape
Throughout the activities in this investigation, students may have wondered how
a boat made out of steel, which is more dense than water, can float. This activity
addresses that question. Students will see that changing the shape of an object,
like a clay ball, that is more dense than water, can affect whether the object will
sink or float. The density of the clay used in this activity does not change, but the
volume of the object made from the clay increases. This increase in volume
decreases the overall density of the object, making it float.
Teacher Note: IF there are time constraints, students should only observe the
teacher demonstration segment, and not the procedures for the group
investigation. Otherwise complete the Steps for Activity 7.7 as follows:
1. Complete Activity Step 1 while making explicit connections to the Magic
School Bus video segments. Tell students that they will first observe you
complete procedure before they are given the opportunity to create boat
or varying shapes and sizes. Model the computing the formula for finding
volume.
2. As outlined in Activity Steps 3 and 4 Distribute Activity Sheet 7.7—
Changing the density of an object: Changing Shape, page 435 only. Guide
and pace students in completing the procedure.
3. Thoroughly discuss the results of their observations as outlined in Activity
Step 4. Students should realize that the clay boxes that have a greater
volume than mass WILL float. When the density of an object is LESS THAN
Div. of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Montgomery County Public Schools © 2012
Young Scholars Instructional Plans
“What’s the Matter?”
Fourth Grade
Unit 1A Properties
the density of water, the object will float. The ship floats when the density
of the ship is less than the density of water. Increasing the volume
decreases the density.
Matter Conference Prep Have students add ideas to their list of questions for the Matter Conference.
10:50 am – 11:00 am
Student lists must include a minimum of one question related to measuring
(10 minutes)
matter-related to mass, volume, and/or density.
Div. of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Montgomery County Public Schools © 2012
Young Scholars Instructional Plans
“What’s the Matter?”
Name ____________________________________
Fourth Grade
Unit 1A Properties
Date ___________________
Pooling Tips [Problem # 16002]
Ethan, Fran, and Gloria have summer jobs at
the local Dairy Freeze. They collect their own
tips and then share them equally. One week
Ethan collected $25 in tips, Fran collected $48,
and Gloria collected $41.
Question: How much should Fran and Gloria each give Ethan so that they all have the same
amount? Explain how you solved the problem and show how you know it is correct.
_____
Extra: Gloria handed Ethan her amount in quarters, dimes and nickels. Could there have been
an equal number of each kind of coin? Explain how you know.
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Div. of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Montgomery County Public Schools © 2012