Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before the lesson, prepare a large, clear bowl filled with water and a collection of various small objects. Ensure you have several objects that clearly sink (like stones, keys, metal spoons, coins) and a few that float (like leaves, plastic toys, cork) for contrast, though the main focus is on sinking. The central idea is for pupils to understand that “sinking” means going down in water and to identify common objects that do this. Supervise all water play closely to ensure safety and prevent spills. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can correctly identify and place objects that sink into the water.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 2
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Basic Science and Technology
Previous Lesson: Identifying different types of materials.
Topic: SINKING OBJECTS IN WATER
Subject Matter: Meaning of sinking and examples of objects that sink in water.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Define “sinking” in simple terms.
- Identify at least three objects that sink in water.
- Explain simply why some objects sink (e.g., “they are heavy”).
Affective Domain
- Show curiosity and interest during the water experiment.
- Participate actively in the group activity.
Psychomotor Domain
- Carefully place different objects into a bowl of water.
- Observe and describe what happens to the objects (sink or float).
Social Domain
- Take turns sharing objects during the experiment.
- Share their observations with classmates.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3.
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources.
Instructional Materials
- A large, clear bowl of water
- A collection of objects that sink: stones, metal spoons, keys, coins, marbles, paper clips, small iron objects.
- A few objects that float (for contrast): leaves, small plastic toys, cork, small wooden blocks.
- Chart or pictures showing objects that sink and float.
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps 4-year-old pupils understand a basic scientific concept about how objects interact with water, which they encounter in their daily lives during play or chores. It develops their observation skills, encourages simple scientific inquiry, and introduces them to the properties of different materials in a fun, hands-on way.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have played with water before and can identify some common objects found at home and in school. They have a basic understanding of “heavy” and “light.”Lesson Content/Board Summary
SINKING OBJECTS IN WATER
What does “Sinking” mean?
Sinking means when an object goes down to the bottom of the water. It disappears under the water.
Why do objects sink?
Objects sink because they are heavier than the water they push away. Heavy objects go down!
Examples of Objects That Sink in Water:
- Stones
- Metal spoons
- Keys
- Coins
- Marbles
- Paper clips
- Small iron objects
Sinking Objects Rhyme
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Heavy stone, down you go,
To the water, way below.
Metal spoon and shiny key,
Sink right down for all to see.
Heavy objects, splash, splash, splash,
To the bottom, in a flash!
Actions: For “Heavy stone, down you go,” make a dropping motion with your hand. For “To the water, way below,” point downwards. For “splash, splash, splash,” clap hands together lightly. For “To the bottom, in a flash,” point downwards quickly.
Watch and Observe
Key Words
- Sink – to go down into the water.
- Heavy – having a lot of weight.
- Water – the liquid we drink and play with.
- Bottom – the lowest part of something.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Begin by showing the bowl of water and asking pupils what they know about water. Introduce the word “sink” by demonstrating with a stone. Explain simply that sinking means going down. Use the contrast of a floating object (like a leaf) briefly to highlight the difference, but keep the focus on sinking. Emphasize that heavy objects sink. Go through the examples, holding up each object before dropping it into the water.
What to show or demonstrate: Clearly demonstrate “sinking” by dropping a stone into the water and letting pupils see it go to the bottom. Hold up each example object (stone, metal spoon, key, coin) before placing it in the water, asking pupils to predict what will happen. Use a chart or pictures to reinforce the visual examples of sinking objects.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Sinking Objects Rhyme” after explaining the concept and showing some examples. Sing it slowly the first time, demonstrating the actions. Repeat the rhyme 2-3 times, encouraging pupils to join in with the words and actions. The rhyme helps reinforce the vocabulary and the concept of objects going down.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a fun way to see more objects sink and float. Ask pupils to pay attention to what happens to each object. After watching, discuss some of the objects shown in the video and ask pupils to name which ones sank. Encourage them to use the word “sink.”
What to watch for: Observe if pupils understand that “sink” means going down. Watch for any confusion between size and weight; some large objects can float, and small objects can sink. Reinforce the idea that it’s about how heavy the object is compared to the water it displaces.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
Play-based Learning, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Observation, Question and Answer, Manipulation of Objects, Songs and Rhymes, Picture Talk.Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engaging/Recalling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads them in a short song about water (e.g., “Water, water everywhere…”). The teacher then asks pupils if they have ever played with water and what they like to do with it.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, sing the song, and share their experiences with water.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and reminded of their prior experiences with water.
Step 2: Explanation of Sinking
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Demonstrating
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the term “sinking.” The teacher holds up a stone and a bowl of water, then drops the stone into the water, showing how it goes straight to the bottom. The teacher explains, “When something goes down to the bottom of the water, we say it SINKING.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the demonstration, listen to the explanation, and repeat the word “sinking.”
Learning Point: Pupils understand the simple meaning of “sinking” through observation.
Step 3: Identifying Sinking Objects and Reasons
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explaining/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows various objects one by one (e.g., metal spoon, key, leaf, plastic toy). For each object, the teacher asks, “Do you think this will sink or stay on top?” After pupils guess, the teacher drops the object into the water, focusing on the sinking ones. The teacher explains that objects sink because they are “heavy” compared to the water.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils guess whether objects will sink or float, observe what happens, and repeat “heavy” when an object sinks.
Learning Point: Pupils identify more sinking objects and begin to understand the concept of weight in relation to sinking.
Step 4: Guided Pupil Activity – Testing Objects
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitating/Supervising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides pupils into small groups (if possible) or calls them up individually. Each pupil is given a sinking object (e.g., a coin, a paper clip) and is asked to carefully drop it into the water and observe. The teacher walks around, asking, “What happened to your object?” and “Did it sink?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take turns dropping objects into the water, observing them sink, and answering the teacher’s questions.
Learning Point: Pupils gain hands-on experience with sinking objects and reinforce their understanding through direct observation.
Step 5: Reinforcement with Rhyme
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Leading/Engaging
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Sinking Objects Rhyme” from the Board Summary. The teacher demonstrates the actions and encourages pupils to sing along and perform the actions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme with the teacher and perform the corresponding actions.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce the concept of sinking and related vocabulary through a fun, repetitive song.
Step 6: Video/Picture Reinforcement
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Visual Aid/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows the video “Sink or Float? Science for Kids” or a chart with pictures of various objects, pointing out which ones sink. The teacher asks pupils to name some of the objects that sank in the video/chart.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video or look at the chart, identify sinking objects, and name them.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of sinking objects through visual examples.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “What does it mean for an object to sink?” (Teacher can use a simple action to prompt).
- “Name two objects that sink in water.”
- The teacher holds up a stone and a leaf. “Which one will sink?” (Pupils point or say the name).
- The teacher asks a pupil to drop a chosen sinking object into the water to demonstrate.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarising/Praising
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their good participation and observation. The teacher briefly recaps that heavy objects sink to the bottom of the water. The teacher tells pupils to keep observing things that sink and float at home.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and receive praise.
Learning Point: Pupils feel a sense of accomplishment and are encouraged to continue observing.
Lesson Keywords
- Sink – to go down into the water.
- Heavy – having a lot of weight.
- Water – the liquid we drink and play with.
- Bottom – the lowest part of something.
- Stone – a hard, solid piece of rock.
- Spoon – a tool used for eating or stirring.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who struggle, provide fewer objects to test, offer hand-over-hand guidance for placing objects in water, and repeat explanations using simpler words and more demonstrations. Encourage them to just point to the object that sank.
- Extension: For pupils who grasp the concept quickly, encourage them to find other objects in the classroom that they think might sink. Ask them to sort the objects into two piles: “sink” and “float” (after a brief explanation of floating).
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