Second graders test what happens when different objects go in water, discovering that whether something sinks or floats depends on the object, not just its size, and sort objects into sinkers and floaters.
Students will be able to…
A huge metal ship floats while a tiny pebble sinks. If size were all that mattered, that would be backward. So what decides whether an object sinks or floats?
Project this and sort each object into floats or sinks — tap an object, then tap where it belongs.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
A huge metal ship floats, but a tiny pebble sinks straight down. If size were all that mattered, that would be backward. So what decides whether something sinks or floats?
Students sort objects into sink and float.
Students predict then test.
Students record tests.
Students reflect on sinking and floating.
Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (Grade 2 / Elementary Science).
Plan and conduct an investigation to classify materials by their observable properties.
Test materials and analyze data to decide which are best suited for a purpose.
Planning and carrying out investigations to answer a question.
Participate in shared research, recording what you observe.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students list four objects, predict each one, then mark what really happened when tested, so the pattern of what floats stands out. A printable sink-or-float worksheet is in the Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.