Grade: 6 - Science Lesson: Is Air Matter?

Duration: 9:37- 10:20 (6E), 10:22-11:05 (6A) & 1:17-2:00 (6B) - 43 minutes

Goals/Key questions (remove the italics with the required information)

Goals: To determine if air is matter? How do we prove it?
Objective (connected to PofS): For students to determine if air is matter? To do this students will
conduct a number of activities that will show that air takes up space and that it has a mass. Students
learned yesterday that it is hard to observe air but it is easier to observe the effects of air on other
things.
GLEs/SLEs addressed
Understanding
6-5.1 Provide evidence that air takes up space and exerts pressure, and identify examples of these
properties in everyday applications.
Skills:
6-2b identify one or more possible answers to questions by stating a prediction or a hypothesis
Attitudes:
6-4a curiosity
6-4g willingness to use evidence as the basis for conclusions and actions

Pre lesson Considerations

Materials needed/preset up required/logistical considerations needed (seating arrangement):

-setting up stations in room #129

-supplies needed for stations:
-9+ balloons
-string
-3 bars
-3 pop bottles
-3 ping pong balls
-6 glasses
-6 containers to fill
- 10 squiggly straws
Content:
What is the teacher doing? What are the students doing?

Introduction Quickly going over what is to Have two students hand out booklets to all the
happen at each station. students during attendance.
Time est: 5
min Students will following along.
 Transition Groups by rows Students are collecting their pencil and papers
considerations and then going to room 129 to their described
station.
Time est: 5
minutes

Station Huff and Puff: Students fill in their worksheets.

Rotation Make a prediction, observation,
inference
Time est: 5 @
each station Ping Pong Ball
min Make a prediction

Total 20min Paper in a cup: Does air occupy

space?
Make a prediction, observation,
inference

A Weigh We Go: How can we

demonstrate that air has mass?

If time:
Tube in cup (Teacher Demo)
Make an observation and describe
what is happening.
Transition leave stations clean and return to room #130
considerations
Time est: 2
minutes
Review Pick one group to explain their Students to provide answers
Time est: 10 results for each station.
min
Show the giant beach ball video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=AGI4UYYMPKM (1min)

Conclusion: Is air matter?

Conclusion Just wanted to introduce where we Students to watch the video

Time: 5 are headed next.
minutes
https://youtu.be/VDf00z8sMFw?fe
ature=shared (3min 18sec)

References:
Air and Aerodynamics by Edmonton Public Schools (1996) pages 9-12, 17.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGI4UYYMPKM (giant beach ball)

https://youtu.be/VDf00z8sMFw?feature=shared
How heavy is air? Ted-Ed

Assessment: Formative - class discussions.

Accommodations/Modifications: students are working together in groups.

Extension and extra time activity: Students can sketch design ideas for balloon rockets.