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Rachel Michelle Roberts

Final Project: Bubbleology 5^th grade

Objective: The students will explore variables in order to try to form the best bubble.

Materials:

1.      Soap- Powder and Liquid

2.      Straws- various sizes (3)

3.      Water- warm and ice cold

4.      Plates- Styrofoam and Plastic

5.      Eye dropper

6.      Timer

7.      Ruler

8.      Pre-printed Lab sheet with variables

Grouping: 6 tables of 5 students

Anticipatory Set: How many of you have blown a bubble? How did you do this? Explain in detail how you were successful. Now close your eyes: Students are given a story about bubbles and they are to fill in the blanks and picture what they see and write down there responses. At each table the students will discuss there reactions and thought that were triggered from the story.

Middle of Lesson:  The students in groups will explore their thoughts on how to make the perfect bubble. I will give the different variables to each group along with a pre-printed lab sheet so they can write down their results and think of how they can alter the effect of the bubble if this is actually possible. I would start them off and allow them to use inquiry during the lab to explore other possibilities.

Example:  Group 1-  variables: warm water, powder soap, plastic plate, Mcdonald’s type straw

                  Group 2- Ice water, liquid soap, styrofoam plate,skinny straw(stirring straw)

End of Lesson: Students will have an open discussion regrding their findings, share ideas of how we could alter the lab and come to some conclusions regarding what would make the best bubble.

I would use this lesson as an opening for the first few days of school. This will allow the students to work collaboratively, become partners, introduce eachother and learn how to work in cooperative groups by discussing what worked and what didn’t.

I would explore this lab for 2 days so that the students can come away with a better sense of trial and error as well as building confidence and finding leaders within the classroom environment.