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

Chilly discoveries

Children will make ice cream and determine what makes this liquid turn into a solid.

A lesson plan for grade 1 Mathematics and Science

By Allison Rollinson

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  1. Make homemade ice cream and gain an understanding of what changes occur and what variables cause those changes to occur when a liquid turns to a solid.
  2. Compare the properties of a liquid to that of a solid.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

60 minutes

Materials/resources

Each student pair will need:

  • one pound coffee can
  • one small metal soup or vegetable can
  • small plastic lid (I have found that the “Safety First” lids for toddler snacks work the best and are even leak-proof)
  • crushed ice
  • rock salt
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • spoon

Ice Cream Recipe:

  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup half & half
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

** Have parents send toppings, sprinkles and whipped cream for an extra treat!

Pre-activities

  • Students will already be familiar with measuring cups and measuring spoons.
  • Students will have learned some fascinating facts about ice cream.
  • Students will have predicted what was the most popular flavor in the class and have completed a graphing activity for their favorite flavors.
  • Using a pre-made graph in “Kid Pix,” students will have “read” the graph and summarized the information by writing sentences about the graph.
  • They will have become consumers and reporters, and determined which brand of ice cream has the best flavor.
  • Students will have done an experiment with ice and salt to show that salt lowers the temperature of ice, thus creating the condensation on the can to freeze.
  • Their centers will have reflected the “Ice Cream” theme to practice math facts, patterning, creating a new desirable flavor of ice cream, alphabetical flavors, etc.

Activities

  1. Read aloud, From Cow to Ice Cream by Bertram T. Knight (Children’s Press, 1997)
  2. Have the students list the main steps in making ice cream.
  3. Explain that the class is going to make homemade ice cream.
  4. Explain what ingredients will be used, and have students follow along and measure the ingredients and place them in their small metal cans.
  5. Have students take turns carefully stirring the ingredients with the spoon.
  6. Have them cover the container with the plastic lid and place the metal can into the one-pound coffee can.
  7. Have the students add ice to the outer can and sprinkle the ice with the rock salt.
  8. Have them place the lid on the coffee can and tape the can closed with duct tape.
  9. Have the students find a place in the classroom to roll the can back and forth for about twenty-five minutes. (If it is a nice day, take it outside.)
  10. Serve and eat!

Assessment

Discussion:

  • What made the ice cream freeze?
  • When was it a liquid?
  • When was it a solid?
  • Why did we use rock salt?
  • What would happen if we left the ice cream out of the freezer all night? Why?
  • Name some things you have seen change from liquid to a solid (ice cubes).
  • Name some things that you have seen change from a solid to a liquid (butter).
  • What caused the changes in both? (temperature)

Supplemental information

Spring into Math and Science, by AIMS Educational Foundation, 1987.

The Education Center Inc., August-A Month of Ideas at Your Fingertips, 1998.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Mathematics (2004)

Grade 1

  • Goal 2: Measurement - The learner will use non-standard units of measure and tell time.
    • Objective 2.01: For given objects:
      • Select an attribute (length, capacity, mass) to measure (use non-standard units).
      • Develop strategies to estimate size.
      • Compare, using appropriate language, with respect to the attribute selected.
  • Goal 4: Data Analysis and Probability - The learner will understand and use data and simple probability concepts.
    • Objective 4.01: Collect, organize, describe and display data using line plots and tallies.

Science (2005)

Grade 1

  • Goal 2: The learner will make observations and use student-made rules to build an understanding of solid earth materials.
    • Objective 2.01: Describe and sort a variety of earth materials based on their properties:
      • Color.
      • Hardness.
      • Shape.
      • Size.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of the properties and relationship of objects.
    • Objective 3.03: Classify solids according to their properties:
      • Color.
      • Texture.
      • Shape (ability to roll or stack).
      • Ability to float or sink in water.