LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Color burst

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/Lessons.cfm?DocID=117

A lesson plan for Grades 3–5 English Language Arts

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
3–5
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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The purpose of this lesson is to gain experience in asking questions and conducting inquiry by exploring the separation of colors in water and other solvents. Students will communicate and share findings of their investigations.

This lesson uses a technique called paper chromatography. The water is absorbed by the coffee filter and rises up the filter. When the water reaches a spot of black ink, it carries the components of the spot up the filter. As the water continues to rise, the components do not all travel with it at the same rate. Some are more soluble in water than others, and the more soluble ones travel faster. After a time, the various components are at different distances from the original spot, having been separated from one another. Substances in which other substances dissolve, like water, are called solvents. Scientists use chromatography frequently to separate and identify the component parts of a mixture.

This activity will help children gain experience in conducting simple investigations of their own while working in small groups. Throughout the lesson, encourage children to observe more and more carefully, measure things carefully, record data clearly in logs and journals, and communicate their results in charts and simple graphs as well as in prose. Student investigations should be followed up with presentations to the entire class to emphasize the importance of clear communication in science.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
      • present information in a sequenced, logical manner.
      • discuss.
      • sustain conversation on a topic.
      • share information and ideas.
      • recount or narrate.
      • answer open-ended questions.
      • report information on a topic.
      • explain own learning.
    • Objective 4.03: Share written and oral products in a variety of ways (e.g., author's chair, book making, publications, discussions, presentations).
    • Objective 4.04: Use planning strategies (with assistance) to generate topics and to organize ideas (e.g., drawing, mapping, discussing, listing).
    • Objective 4.05: Identify (with assistance) the purpose, the audience, and the appropriate form for the oral or written task.
    • Objective 4.07: Compose a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama selections using self-selected topics and forms (e.g., poems, simple narratives, short reports, learning logs, letters, notes, directions, instructions).
    • Objective 4.10: Explore technology as a tool to create a written product.

Grade 4

  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
      • present information and ideas in a clear, concise manner.
      • discuss.
      • interview.
      • solve problems.
      • make decisions.
    • Objective 4.03: Make oral and written presentations using visual aids with an awareness of purpose and audience.
    • Objective 4.05: Use planning strategies to generate topics and organize ideas (e.g., brainstorming, mapping, webbing, reading, discussion).
    • Objective 4.09: Produce work that follows the conventions of particular genres (e.g., personal and imaginative narrative, research reports, learning logs, letters of request, letters of complaint).
    • Objective 4.10: Use technology as a tool to gather, organize, and present information.

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.09: Listen actively and critically by:
      • asking questions.
      • delving deeper into the topic.
      • elaborating on the information and ideas presented.
      • evaluating information and ideas.
      • making inferences and drawing conclusions.
      • making judgments.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.02: Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
      • formulate hypotheses.
      • evaluate information and ideas.
      • present and support arguments.
      • influence the thinking of others.
    • Objective 4.03: Make oral and written presentations to inform or persuade selecting vocabulary for impact.