Practice Makes Perfect

Home > Lesson Plans > Grade 8 > Practice Makes Perfect

Author: Autumn McCarthy
School District: Canton Central School
Subject: Mathematics/Science
Grade Range: 8
Duration/Time Required:

  • Number of days: 1
  • Length of period: 45 minutes

Standard:

  • Content - Algebra
  • Process - Communication

Objective: Students will be able to
calculate the density of an object given its mass and
volume.

NY- New York State Standards

  • Subject: Mathematics, Science, and
    Technology (1996, 2005 Math update)

    • Learning Standard 3: Mathematics (2005
      update)
      Students will:

      1. understand the concepts of and become proficient with the skills of mathematics;
      2. communicate and reason mathematically;
      3. become problem solvers by using appropriate tools and strategies;
      4. through the integrated study of number sense and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and statistics and probability.
      • Grade/Subject: Grade 6
        • Area:Content Strands
          • Strand: Measurement Strand
            • Standard: Students will determine what can be measured and how, using appropriate methods and formulas.
              • Performance Indicator: 6.M.1 Measure capacity and calculate volume of a rectangular prism.
      • Grade/Subject: Grade 7
        • Area: Process Strands
          • Strand: Communication Strand
            • Standard: Students will organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking through communication.
              • Performance Indicator: 7.CM.1 Provide a correct, complete, coherent, and clear rationale for thought process used in problem solving.
              • Performance Indicator: 7.CM.3 Organize and accurately label work.
      • Grade/Subject: Grade 8
        • Area: Content Strands
          • Strand: Algebra Strand
            • Standard: Students will recognize, use, and represent algebraically patterns, relations, and functions.
              • Performance Indicator8.A.19 Interpret multiple representations using equation, table of values, and graph.
    • Learning Standard 4: Science
      Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

      • Level: Intermediate
        • Key Idea: Physical Setting 3
          Matter is made up of particles whose properties determine the observable characteristics of matter and its reactivity.

          Test and compare the properties (hardness, shape, color, etc.) of an array of materials.
          Observe an ice cube as it begins to melt at temperature and construct an explanation for what happens, including sketches and written descriptions of their ideas.

          • Performance Indicator: Observe and describe properties of materials, such as density, conductivity, and solubility.

Learning Context:
Students have previously had experience measuring mass with a triple beam balance, volume using a graduated cylinder or a ruler, and have had practice calculating density using the formula D=M/V.

Detailed Procedure:

  1. Each student should be logged in at their own computer.
  2. Students should proceed to the 8th grade web page from the Canton Central School Web Site and click on the STEM site.
  3. Once there, they will proceed to the Smart Sites for Students page and click on the density link.
  4. Once there, students will review the concept of density, calculate density of various objects, and make predicts on whether they will sink or float in a given liquid.
  5. Links:

Closure:
Review worksheet as class. Ticket out the door question.

Extension:

Preparation for NY State Science Performance Exam

Also, students may change the liquid’s density and complete a chart predicting if the same substances will sink or float in the “new” liquid. This can be done with the extension activity worksheet attached.

Differentiated Instruction:

Provide written instructructions for some students with poor auditory comprehension.
Hands on computer activity.

Collaboration:
Students will work
individually.

Time Allotment:
1 class period. 45 Min. per class.

Post-Implementation Reflections:
After completing the internet activity in the computer lab the students have gained a better understanding of concepts of mass, volume, and density. To successfully implement the lesson the teachers should in the future make sure all of the computers are on and logged in, as having this already done will save time. Some of the calculators available on the computer were not working, so also having calculators the students are familiar working with would be helpful, rather than relying on the computer’s calculator.

Instructional Materials