Science
Unit 4c:
Keeping Warm
Recognise that temperature is a measure of how hot or cold objects are; identify some materials that are good thermal insulators and some every day uses of these; recognise that the same materials keep cold objects cold and keep warm objects warm.
Look at materials – which offer the best insulating properties – discuss open spaces.
Teachers TV Video of a Science Investigation
This programme shows how a primary teacher is using ICT to enliven science lessons.
Year 4 teacher Helen Hardie has incorporated a range of uses of ICT into her weekly science investigations. By using data loggers, digital video cameras and interactive slideware, she involves and engages her pupils from the outset.
Looking at the best way to insulate a cup of tea, graphing software lets pupils make sense of the temperature readings they collect. Easy-to-use ICT places the investigation firmly in the eager hands of the pupils.
Direct2U Lesson Plan
As part of Science Year, all primary schools received a free QX3 Computer Microscope. In this activity it is used to examine fabrics and support investigations into suitable uses.
Direct2U
Direct2U Lesson Plan
Children use an activity from the BBC Science clips website to investigate the use of different materials for insulation. www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/keeping_warm.shtml
Direct2U
Direct2U Lesson Plan
Children use database software to construct a database of properties of materials. The children will enter all the data - making decisions about the properties of each material as they do so. (A data collection sheet is supplied with the activity.)
Direct2U l Also download Data Collection Sheet
Look closely at the surface of materials using the intel microscope
Guidance on using Intel Microscope
Look at papers for mopping up a spill and predict which will be the best.
Compare glass, wood and metal.
Look through the microscope at knitted and woven materials. Which will be more stretchy?
Look at different 'waterproof' fabrics and watch, or record in a short movie, what happens when you drop some water onto them.
Powerpoint Resource - (Greenwich ICT)
Report ICT Link Unit 3A
Children import the photographs of materials under the microscope into a word processing into a word processing package such as Textease. They add a description and information about each rock.
ICT Unit 3C
Children use database software to construct a database of properties of materials. When entering the data, children make decisions about the properties of each material.
ICT Unit 3C
As part of the science topic ‘materials’, tell the class that they are going to create a database containing information about kitchen objects. Ask them to think of some questions they would like to ask, e.g. Which is the most common material? Which objects are hard? Which objects are hard and strong?
Provide a wide range of objects, EEG colander, wooden spoon, metal spoon, sieve, saucepan, mixing bowl, spatula, for the children to touch and investigate. Encourage them to talk about the properties of materials, EEG hardness, strength, flexibility. Remind them that the same material may be used to make different objects.
Set up a database with a number of fields, EEG object name, material, hard, strong, flexible, smooth, shiny. These could be simple yes/no answers. Ask the children to add information to the data file about each object.
Once all the objects have been included, create a class list of questions and discuss how they can be translated into search criteria. Search and print out bar charts from the database.
As a whole-class activity, decide what, if any, conclusions can be drawn.
Learning Outcomes
- collect appropriate information, enter it into a database and use the database to answer simple questions
Teaching Resources (teachingideas.co.uk)
Data Logging
Place the same amount of cold drink in two identical containers (eg. plastic cups) and take initial SNAPSHOT temperature readings with the temperature sensor. Put a lid made out of some kind of material on one container. Take further SNAPSHOT readings after 30 minutes. The children can then compare the first and second temperatures for the liquid in each of the containers. Guide to using the Logit Explorer
Keeping the Teachers tea warm (sci-journal.org)
Powerpoint Resource - (Greenwich ICT)
Keeping things hot - from Hitcham's PS Suffolk
This site describes setting up an experiment to test the effect of different thermal insulators in keeping baked potatoes hot.
Children record results of investigations. The embed the video into presentations.
Science Display Resources
www.schoolslinks.co.uk
How a Cooling Tower works?
Watch an online animation showing cooling in industry.
www.industry-animated.org
Websites
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| Material World Ch 4 Science Essentials | Change It! Foss Web |
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| Sorting and Using Materials crick.northants.sch.uk |