TCNJ Lesson Plan

Unit lesson 5- Solid or Liquid? (Oobleck)

Student Name: Samantha Bolognese

Elementary

School Name: Lawrenceville

Grade Level: 1

Host Teachers Name: Mrs. Potter

Guiding and/or Essential Questions:

Is oobleck a solid or a liquid?
What properties does oobleck have?
How can you tell a solid from a liquid?
What tests can we do to check for solid/liquid properties?
What can we learn through observation?
Pre-lesson Assignments and/or Student Prior Knowledge
Students will have previously planned and conducted scientific experiments and have experience
making observations. Students have learned properties of both solids and liquids. Students have
not made oobleck prior to this experiment.
Standards:
2-PS1-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials
by their observable properties.
2-PS1-2. Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine what materials have
the properties hat are best suited for an intended purpose.
5-PS1-4. Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances
results in new substances.

Learning Objectives and Assessments:

Learning Objectives
Students will note scientific observations.

Assessment
Students will observe properties of oobleck and
take notes of their experience and findings.
Teacher will assess students for participation
and completeness of observation notes.

Students will classify oobleck as a solid or a

liquid.

At the conclusion of the activity students will

have to identify oobleck as either a solid or a
liquid using their observations. Teacher will
assess for support evidence in student
responses.

Materials/Resources: (List materials, include any online or book references and resources)
Cornstarch
1 gallon of water
Measuring cups
10 plastic bowls
20 plastic spoons
Food coloring
Science notebook
10 pennies
Plan for set-up/distribution/cleanup of materials:

Teacher will have 10 trays assembled with bowl of measured cornstarch and
spoon
Teacher will call one student from each pair to get a tray and bring it to their seats
Teachers will go around to each pair after distribution and pour measured water
into bowls
Teacher will walk around with a garbage bin to each table to help students dispose
of materials without making a mess

Step by Step plan:

1. Lesson beginning: You have all done a great job thinking like scientists over the passed
two weeks conducting experiments and recording your observations. Today we will end
with another really fun activity; we are going to make oobleck! Has anyone ever head of
oobleck? It is made of cornstarch and water and it is a very tricky mixture we will be
investigating to find out if it is a solid or a liquid.
2. Teacher will give instructions: I am going to put you in pairs. You and your partner will
get a tray of materials. You will get a bowl of cornstarch, a spoon and a penny. I will walk
around to each pair and pour water in your bowl. You will stir the mixture until it is
combined. Next, you will observe the oobleck and do a number of tests on it to determine
if it is a liquid or a solid. You will find the instructions for the tests and where to record
your observations in your science notebook on page 9. You will write what you see and

feel and answer the questions. Mrs. Potter and I will be walking around to help you and
answer any questions.
3. Teacher will reinforce proper scientific behavior. Teacher will say, Before I assign you a
partner can someone tell me how we will be a scientist during this investigation? How
will we act? How will we use the oobleck?
4. Teacher will list the paired groups and give one student the responsibility of bringing the
tray to their seats. Teacher will distribute water and remind students to stir the mixture
gently. Teacher will prompt students to answer the questions What does oobleck feel
like? What does it look like? Is it smooth or hard? What is its shape? Teacher will walk
around to confirm students are filling in their observations and to help students explain
their ideas. Students will be allotted 10 minutes to conduct their tests.
5. Teacher will give a 5 and 1 minute warning to finish their tests. Teacher will walk around
with the garbage bin to dispose of materials and dismiss the table to wash their hands one
at a time. Teacher will give students and additional 5 minutes to form their ideas and
record their answers.
6. Closure: Teacher will call students to the rug by pairs to wrap up lesson. Teacher will get
students responses from the activity questions. Teacher will ask the class what their group
thought oobleck was, a solid or liquid. Teacher will explain that oobleck is both a solid
and a liquid; it is a liquid that acts like a solid when pressure is applied. Teacher will play
short clip about oobleck. Teacher will dismiss class by groups to pack up and return to
their seats.

Key Questions (that you will ask):

How does oobleck feel?
Can you push it?
Can you pick it up?
Does it pour off the spoon smoothly?
Does it have a shape?
What happens when you stir it quickly/slowly?
What happens if you place a penny in oobleck?
Is oobleck a solid or a liquid?
Logistics:
Timing: 40 minutes
Lesson beginning- 5 minutes
Setup- 5 minutes

Testing/Observation- 10 minutes
Clean up- 5 minutes
Wrap up writing- 5 minutes
Closing- 10 minutes
.
Transitions:

Students will begin activity at their seats

One student from each pair will be called to get a try of supplies
Tables will be called one at a time to wash hands

Classroom Management:
Teacher will reinforce appropriate experiment behaviors and how we will use oobleck
Teacher will have students assigned to pairs rather than large groups
Teacher will have supplies prepared prior to activity
Differentiation

Any students who complete their observation questions may work on science packets
Teacher will monitor pairs who tend to get off task
Teacher will give extra support to those who have trouble forming ideas into writing
Teacher will assign partnerships that will benefit each students needs