Sink or Float Part 2

The second part of our Sink or Float lesson asked the children to take what they learned yesterday and apply it to a similar situation.  We remembered together what had made our boats float.  The children suggested that boats need to "have high sides", "be flat-ish on the bottom", and most importantly  "not just dumped in the water".  To an outsider  who walked up on our outdoor lesson the day before, it might have looked like a bunch of kids playing with play-doh and water.  Instead, what I saw was a lesson was filled with problem solving, the scientific process, collaboration, exploring the concept of density and mass, and the technology of design. 

We started day 2 off with a buffet of materials.

We set up partnerships and the children received their task: 

Use the provided materials to make a vessel that will float.

I provided play-doh, just to have a familiar medium available  but no one even tried to recreate the boat design from Day 1.  They were off with fresh materials and new ideas!

This was our first design to float.  They patterns started off with a paper boat, but could not make sides.  

They decided to wrap their boat in tin foil and had immediate success.

This successful attempt included a sail, that actually helped us move the boat.

This partner ship make a Army ship.  

Sure, it floated on its own because it was a pie tin, but when I asked about their project, they explained that they were making Army men to go in their boat.  They took small wooden sticks and drew faces and uniforms on each one.  They quickly explained to me that no boat could go without men...

and there you have it!  Just ask and they will explain it to you :)

 This is a panoramic view of our classroom during the lesson.  Oh, it was loud and busy, and it should have been!  And, I am sure it looked like chaos, but a midst all of that busy-ness there was powerful learning going on.  No, we will never win an award for the neatest or quietest classroom, but that is not what we are going for. We are producing thinkers and doers!

What a great day at preschool!