### Lesson Plan: Floating Objects II for Toddlers
#### Duration:
30-45 minutes
#### Objective:
Students will learn about buoyancy and the concept of floating and sinking through hands-on exploration and observation.
#### Materials:
- A large, clear plastic tub or basin filled with water
- Small objects of different materials (e.g., plastic spoon, wooden block, metal key, rubber duck, small stone, cotton ball, paper clip, toy boat, sponge, crayon, piece of fruit, etc.)
- Towels or a splash mat to manage spills
- A chart with columns labeled "Float" and "Sink"
- Markers or stickers
---
### Introduction (5-10 minutes)
1. **Greeting and Engagement:**
- Welcome the students with a friendly greeting.
- Gather them in a circle and sing a short water-related song, such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" to capture their interest.
2. **Previous Lesson Recap:**
- Briefly remind the students of the previous lesson on floating objects, recalling what items floated and why.
3. **Introduce Today's Topic:**
- Explain that today they will continue exploring floating and sinking by testing more objects to see which ones float and which ones sink.
---
### Activities (20-25 minutes)
#### Experimentation and Observation:
1. **Preparation:**
- Place the large tub or basin of water on a stable surface where all children can see.
2. **Prediction:**
- Show the students one object at a time and ask them to predict whether each object will float or sink.
- Encourage them to express their thoughts using simple phrases like "float" or "sink" and give them stickers to place in the appropriate column on the chart.
3. **Testing:**
- One by one, let each child place an object into the water to observe what happens. Ensure every child gets a turn.
- Verbally reinforce the result by saying, "Look, the [object] floats!" or "The [object] sinks."
4. **Discussion:**
- After each test, discuss briefly why they think the object floated or sank. Keep explanations simple, such as "The plastic spoon floats because it's light," or "The stone sinks because it's heavy."
#### Hands-On Play:
5. **Exploration Time:**
- Allow a few minutes for free play, letting students explore and test additional objects in the water under supervision. Provide guidance and enhance their understanding by asking questions about their observations.
6. **Dry Off:**
- Help children dry off their hands and the objects they used. Discuss proper cleanup and care for materials.
---
### Closing (5-10 minutes)
1. **Review:**
- Recap the activity, asking students to recall one object that floated and one that sank.
- Praise them for their great observations and participation.
2. **Story Time:**
- Gather the children for a quick story related to floating and sinking, such as "Who Sank the Boat?" by Pamela Allen.
3. **Goodbye Song:**
- Conclude the lesson with a goodbye song to reiterate the day's theme and transition them out of the activity smoothly.
---
### Extension Activities:
- **Art Project:** Create a collage with magazine cutouts or drawings of objects that float and sink.
- **Home Connection:** Provide parents with a brief note suggesting simple floating and sinking experiments they can do at home with their children.
### Assessment:
- Observe and note students’ engagement and understanding during the lesson.
- Use the chart completed with stickers as a visual tool to review which objects floated and sank, assessing toddlers' ability to predict and verify outcomes.
### Notes:
- Ensure safety by supervising the water activity closely to prevent spills and accidents.
- Be prepared to adapt the duration and complexity of tasks based on the toddlers' attention spans and interest levels.