Class: ______284______
Name: _Liz Ferguson_
Date: _03 – 10 - 2015_
ACTIVITY PLAN
NAME OF THE ACTIVITY: “Magic Touch Bags”
AGE RANGE: 4 to 6 year-old
TOPIC OF FOCUS: Science / Physical Properties of Materials: Oil and Water
NO. of CHILDREN in GROUP: 4
OBJECTIVES:
1- To demonstrate understanding of positions words such as top and bottom.
2- To describe at least three different liquids for ex. Water, milk, and oil.
AREA(s): Cognitive-CC # 26 and Math
Language-CC # 8b
Cognitive-CC# 11d
3- To understand and explain why oil floats when it is mixed with water.
Cognitive-CC #12b
4- To name at least two liquids that mix well with water and one that don’t mix well with water. Cognitive-CC #13
5- To practice fine motor skills and demonstrate knowledge of measurement tools when
using them accurately.
Fine Motor-CC #28
Cognitive – CC# 22
______________________________________________________________
________________
PREPARATION:
Heavy-duty sandwich sized Ziploc bag, cornstarch, water, oil, milk, juice, and food coloring, measurement cups and spoons.
Paper towels
Large space – large table
Aprons for children as needed.
PRESENTATION:
-
Make small groups of children, 3 children per group.
Invite the first group to the table and explain the instruction of the activity.
Engage children in a brief discussion as I present the materials exposed on the table, ask: Do you know what we
have in this container? – pointing to a water’s container, then pointing to the oil, milk, and juice.
Explain and engage children in a brief discussion about the physical characteristics of the materials presented on
the table, and ask: How do we use water? What color is the water? Is it liquid or solid? – Compare if possible
something solid with the water on the table. Obj. 2
-
Then invite children to discuss about the characteristics of oil and ask: Can we drink oil? How we use oil? What
color is it? If we touch oil can we dry it off easy like water? – Invite children to touch it. Then ask them: What do
you think would happen if we mix water with oil together? Obj. 1, 3 and 4
Explain the rest of the materials and measurement tools, ask children if they can recognize them as teacher point
to it: Do you know what this is? Do you know why we use measurement cups? When we use them? Do you have
some at home? How you use them at home?
Invite children to measure the materials and mix them as directed. Then ask: What happens if we mix juice and
water? What happens if we mix milk and water? What happens if we mix oil and water? Can you tell where the oil
in the mixture is? And where the water is at? Obj. 1, 3, 4 and 5
Invite children to create and choose the color to use in their own “magic touch bag” Obj. 5
Invite children to play – drawing letters, shapes, numbers, etc. on their “magic touch bags.” Obj. 5
EVALUATION/REFLECTION:
Children demonstrated the ability to follow directions when the teacher asked them to follow the instructions of the
activity as they were mixing the liquids. Also children demonstrated great social behaviors as they waited for their turn to
share some tools or use some materials. Children recognized water, milk, and juice without problem, but some children
had some difficulties recognizing the oil. Children demonstrated excitement during different steps of the activity, some of
them have fun mixing colors, and others enjoyed mixing the materials, and others were excited about using the
measurement tools.
Suggestions: To help children better understand that water is heavier than oil and the reason why it stays on the bottom
and oil floats on top, it would be a good idea to use a scale to weigh both materials – oil and water.
General Education: Language – described different liquids, Science – materials’ reactions as mixed, Cognitive –
demonstrate inquiry skills
Scaffolding: Help children to gain better understanding about differences between water and oil – why oil stay on top and
water goes to the bottom when mixed. Ask children to mix water and oil using different strategies: put water first and
then oil or put oil first and then water or put water, then oil, then water again or vice versa.
SOURCE OF ACTIVITY: “Young Children and Science” NAEYC item #281