### Lesson Plan: Sinking Objects II
**Grade Level:** Toddler (Approx. 2-4 years old)
**Subject:** Basic Science and Technology
**Topic:** Sinking Objects II
**Duration:** 30-40 minutes
#### Objectives:
- Students will understand the concept of floating and sinking.
- Students will develop basic scientific inquiry skills.
- Students will enhance their observational and motor skills through hands-on activities.
#### Materials Needed:
- A small, clear plastic tub or container filled with water
- Various small objects (natural and artificial) such as:
- Toy boats
- Corks
- Stones
- Plastic spoons
- Metal keys
- Wooden blocks
- Foil balls
- Feathers
- Leaves
#### Key Vocabulary:
- Sink
- Float
- Water
- Heavy
- Light
#### Introduction (5-10 minutes):
1. **Greeting and Circle Time:**
- Gather the students in a circle on the floor.
- Begin with a welcome song or greeting to engage the children.
2. **Review of Previous Lesson:**
- Briefly remind the children about the concepts of floating and sinking introduced in the previous lesson (Sinking Objects I).
- Show pictures or use actual objects used previously to jog their memory.
#### Direct Instruction (5-10 minutes):
1. **Introduction to New Objects:**
- Introduce the new set of objects that will be used in today's lesson.
- Hold each object up and ask the students to predict if it will sink or float.
- Use simplified language to discuss why they think an object might float or sink (e.g., "This is heavy, maybe it will sink," "This is light, it might float").
#### Guided Practice (10-15 minutes):
1. **Experiment:**
- Gather the students around the water tub.
- One by one, drop each object into the water.
- Encourage the children to observe what happens and use words like "sink" or "float" to describe it.
- Allow some children to drop the objects themselves to engage them actively in the experiment.
2. **Discussion:**
- Discuss the results as a group. For each object, confirm if the initial predictions were right or wrong.
- Emphasize the observable differences between objects that sink and float.
#### Independent Practice (5-10 minutes):
1. **Free Exploration:**
- Set up a water station where small groups of children can experiment with sinking and floating on their own.
- Provide a variety of objects and allow the children to test them, encouraging them to use descriptive words during their exploration.
#### Conclusion (5-10 minutes):
1. **Review and Recap:**
- Gather the children back in a circle and review the activity.
- Ask the children what they learned about sinking and floating.
- Sing a simple song or chant about sinking and floating.
2. **Cleanup:**
- Involve the children in cleaning up the area, making it a part of the routine.
#### Extension Activities:
- **Art Project:** Create a collage of "things that float" and "things that sink" using pictures from magazines or drawings.
- **Storytime:** Read a story related to water, floating, and sinking (e.g., "Who Sank the Boat?" by Pamela Allen).
- **Outdoor Exploration:** If possible, take the children on a nature walk to find natural objects (leaves, sticks) to bring back and test in the classroom.
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**Note for Educators:**
- Always ensure safety, especially with water play. Never leave children unsupervised.
- Be mindful of children with sensitivities related to sensory play.
- Simplify instructions and explanations based on the toddlers’ developmental levels.
- Use encouragement and positive reinforcement to keep children engaged and excited about the learning process.