Teaching for Conceptual Change - Andrew & Mylie by Mylie Siegel https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h en-us 2020-04-08 16:52:06 UTC 2020-04-08 18:19:00 UTC hello@padlet.com Density myliesiegel https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499167687 Students tend to remember the formula that Density = Mass/Volume and often even grasp the concept that it is how much matter is in something. However, students struggle to understand that it is density that determines whether an object sinks or floats. A common misconception among students based on their own life experiences and observations is that "Heavy objects sink and light objects float in water." According to Yin, Tomita, and Shavelson, density is used as an introductory concept for why things sink or float to middle schoolers, but buoyancy and gravity are important forces that play a role that are not brought up. The simplified concept of density leave little room students to change their "heavy/light" belief.]]> 2020-04-08 17:10:06 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499167687 Pose the question on the board: "Why do objects float on water?" and allow each student to individually write down an answer on their own piece of paper. Then, repeat this process with the question "What does 'more dense' or 'less dense' mean?" Remind them to answer it best they can on their own so we can see any and all preconceptions. https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499193445 2020-04-08 17:23:23 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499193445 Show videos and pictures of various objects floating (from a cruise ship to a ping pong ball). Then describe the concept of density and explain that, based off the simple formula, it varies based on mass and volume of whatever object being discussed. Then, explain how water itself is dense because it has a high mass:volume ratio. Then, for something like a ship, describe how salinity (like ocean water) affects density. https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499197392 2020-04-08 17:25:30 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499197392 After reviewing the papers we collected from the Revealing Student PREconceptions, have a small class discussion about the most common misconceptions. Let the students drive the conversation and allow them to try to answer each other's questions on density and how it relates to floating. https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499207796 2020-04-08 17:31:06 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499207796 The hardest conceptual conflict for the students would probably involve how something like a 100,000 ton cruise ship is able to stay afloat on water. I think a small experiment would be really fun for the students and a good way to solidify the concept of density. Each group would be given a tub of water and an item, objects ranging from a brick to a feather. First, guess the density compared to water and if the object will float or not. They would need to determine the density of the object compared to the water and discuss its mass:volume. The students can this present this information to the rest of the class. This would help the students see that different varieties of shapes and sizes and weights can float on water and other certain objects can't. https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499232432 2020-04-08 17:44:47 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499232432 Familiar Phenomenon Probes myliesiegel https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499236175 We will create a list of quotes from the original "How do objects float on water?" Each quote will be answers to each question made by the students, both incorrect and incorrect without revealing which is correct. The students may use the new information that we have discussed to determine which quote is a most accurate answer. They will then discuss the reasoning behind their choice. We will determine how well students now grasp the concept of objects denser than water sinking through this new discussion. ]]> 2020-04-08 17:46:54 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499236175 After listening to the groups present their experiments, we will almost repeat how we started the lesson in the preconception section. I'll repose the questions, "Why do objects float on water?" and then "What does 'more dense' or 'less dense' mean?" After allowing them to answer on their own piece of paper, we'll pass back out their first paper. Then, they can discuss in their groups how much their answers changed. Finally, I think a big class discussion on everything including any lingering questions to reviewing their before and after papers. https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499283659 2020-04-08 18:14:05 UTC https://padlet.com/myliesiegel/x7u2uax7jt1h/wish/499283659