Magic Potions Lesson Description
Purpose
To create opportunities for children to read, to the nearest division and half-division, scales that are numbered or partially numbered and use the information to measure to a suitable degree of accuracy.
Description
This activity is a simple way of turning reading scales into a fun and challenging learning experience for all involved. In this activity children will have the opportunity to create a 500ml magic potion using 5 different amounts and different coloured water. The children will be able to read scales, calculate intervals, total amounts to 500, measure liquids to a suitable degree of accuracy and be independent and collaborative learners. You can be as creative as you like with this idea; creating a magic potion using coloured water instead of just 500ml of liquid instantly engages the children. You’ll be amazed how a witch’s costume and a few props (cauldron) can turn a normally dull lesson into a fun, engaging lesson capturing the children’s imagination.
Begin by explaining to the children that their challenge is to create a 500ml magic potion, they will need to use 5 different amounts to create their potion. Ask the children to generate the success criteria e.g. what will you need to be able to do today to be complete this challenge? Asking the children to generate the success criteria enables the children to consider each step in their learning. If the children do not come up with all of the success criteria listed on the lesson plan add in the extra ideas yourself. Ask the children what the easiest way is of making 500ml using 5 amounts. Hopefully, someone will say 5 lots of 100ml. At this stage tell the children that in their groups they will need to find another way of creating 500ml using 5 amounts and they will need to record this on a whiteboard to use later (For differentiation see lesson plan). Either select or allow the children to select their groups.
Next ask the children to come back together as a class. Discuss the children’s choices of how to make 500ml and ask them to explain how they made their choices. Using the measuring cylinder Interactive Teaching Program (ITP) review how to read scales, calculate intervals etc. At this stage you could also ask the children how much more liquid they would need to make 500ml from a set amount on the ITP e.g. set the amount on the measuring cylinder to 300ml and ask the children how much more we will need to make 500ml. (Measuring cylinder ITP downloadable; instructions of how to use the ITP are on the ITP. Click on the i icon and move the mouse pointer over items on the screen to find out how to use them.)
Children then go off in their groups and measure out their 5 amounts to create their 500ml potion. The children will need to select their containers, measure out amounts and calculate and read the scales on the measuring cylinders/jugs (For differentiation see lesson plan.) Encourage the children to discuss what they are doing as a group, explaining and giving reasons for their ideas/choices and considering what they need to do to enable their group to work together effectively.
Finally, ask the children to come together as a class and for one child to bring their group’s potion with them. Pour each potion into one large container (cauldron if possible) and ask the children how much do we now have. Give the children the opportunity to discuss this with a learning partner, explaining how they know this. At this point you could discuss the different intervals the children encountered and how they calculated the intervals.
Website for downloading Measuring cylinder ITP:
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/47798
Magic Potions Lesson Plan
Preparation (15-20minutes)
Most of the preparation for this session can be done either by your LSA or parent/carer volunteers.
· Locate food colouring.
· Fill 5 large bottles per group with different coloured water.
· Download ITP (See below.)
· Collect a variety of measuring jugs/cylinders
Resources
· Whiteboard and pen for each group (Approx 5 in a group)
· Measuring Cylinder ITP – Primary National Strategy
· Large empty containers/bottles (5 for each group)
· Food colouring (5 colours if possible)
· Variety of measuring cylinders/jugs (Selection for each group one must be large enough to hold 500ml)
· Cauldron (Only if available from school props cupboard)
· Witches hat and cloak (Only if it’s in the school props cupboard and you’re feeling very brave on the day!)
Learning Objective/Intention
WALT (We are learning to) read scales.
Success criteria
WILF (What I’m looking for- generate with children once you’ve told them the challenge)
· You can think of a way to make 500ml using 5 different measurements.
· You can read and calculate intervals on measuring equipment.
· You can measure out your chosen amounts of liquid.
· You make independent decisions about what equipment to use.
· Be responsible for your resources.
· Be a collaborative learner.
Introduction
Explain to the children that their challenge is to create a 500ml magic potion; they will need to use 5 different amounts to create their potion. Ask the children to generate the success criteria e.g. what will you need to be able to do today to be complete this challenge? If the children do not come up with all of the success criteria listed above add in the extra ideas yourself. Discuss the learning objective. Ask the children what the easiest way is of making 500ml using 5 amounts. Hopefully, someone will say 5 lots of 100ml. At this stage tell the children that in their groups they will need to find another way of creating 500ml using 5 amounts and they will need to record this on a whiteboard to use later. Either select or allow the children to select their groups.
Ask the children to come back together as a class. Discuss the children’s choices of how to make 500ml and ask them to explain how they made their choices. Using the measuring cylinder Interactive Teaching Program (ITP) review how to read scales, calculate intervals etc.
Main Activity
Children then go off in their groups and measure out their 5 amounts to create their 500ml potion. The children will need to select their containers, measure out amounts and calculate and read the scales on the measuring cylinders/jugs. Encourage the children to discuss what they are doing as a group, explaining and giving reasons for their ideas/choices and considering what they need to do to enable their group to work together effectively.
Differentiation
This activity works well with mixed ability groups, and the practical opportunity provides perhaps more engagement for those who tend to be more passive during the usual class taught lesson.
Lower ability:
· Change the total amount of liquid from 500ml to a number that the children in this group can manage e.g. 100ml. Bear in mind that 100ml is not a very large amount of liquid to work with so you may keep the amount the same and they may need adult support with calculating their 5 amounts that total 500ml.
· Select equipment for this group with specific intervals e.g. 50ml or 100ml only.
· Rather than allowing this group of children to total any 5 amounts to make 500ml, tell them they will need to use numbers that are multiples of 50.
Higher ability:
· Select equipment for this group with specific intervals or less markings so the children have to calculate intervals for themselves.
· Allow complete independence in selection of the equipment needed.
· Give the children a specific rule when they are working out how to total 500ml e.g. You are not allowed to use multiples of 100, 50, 10 or 25.
Plenary
Ask the children to come together as a class and for one child to bring their group’s potion with them. Pour each potion into one large container (cauldron if possible) and ask the children how much do we now have. Give the children the opportunity to discuss this with a learning partner, explaining how they know this. At this point you could discuss the different intervals the children encountered and how they calculated the intervals.
Top Tip
The children really benefit from having an adult working with each group. It is not the adults responsibility to do anything with the group other than question the children about what they are doing whilst they are doing it, how they know which measuring jug to choose, how they worked out the intervals etc this is where the real learning occurs. I certainly would do this activity when I had classroom support and if not I would ask for parent/carer volunteers who are CRB checked. If you ask them to come in a little before the lesson starts and afterwards you could ask them to set up and help clear away the resources...always really helpful! You could link this theme with other activities across the curriculum e.g. performance poetry to get the children even more engaged.
Website for downloading Measuring cylinder ITP:
http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/47798 (Instructions of how to use the ITP are on the ITP. Click on the i icon and move the mouse pointer over items on the screen to find out how to use them.)
Sabrina Wright 2009 Cuffley School Year 3