ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [MA2019] (5) 19 :

19. Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and addition, and solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume.

a. Use the associative property of multiplication to find the volume of a right rectangular prism and relate it to packing the prism with unit cubes. Show that the volume can be determined by multiplying the three edge lengths or by multiplying the height by the area of the base.

b. Apply the formulas V = l x w x h and V = B x h for rectangular prisms to find volumes of right rectangular prisms with whole-number edge lengths in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.

c. Find volumes of solid figures composed of two non-overlapping right rectangular prisms by adding the volumes of the two parts, applying this technique to solve real-world problems.

[MA2015] (5) 20 :

20 ) Recognize volume as an attribute of solid figures, and understand concepts of volume measurement. [5-MD3]

a. A cube with side length 1 unit, called a "unit cube," is said to have "one cubic unit" of volume, and can be used to measure volume. [5-MD3a]

b. A solid figure which can be packed without gaps or overlaps using n unit cubes is said to have a volume of n cubic units. [5-MD3b]

[SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

Students will develop an understanding of volume and density by analyzing, calculating, and measuring a gummy bear. The students will determine the cause and effect of a water-soaked gummy bear. Students will measure water and gummy bear with accuracy, record data, and communicate their results.

This lesson results from collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

This lesson will allow students to experiment with different objects to predict and explain the results of their experiments on the objects as they relate to density. Through this experiment, students will be able to understand the cause and effect relationship to explain the objects sinking or floating. 

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

This inquiry-based lesson provides an introduction to density allowing students to explore density and its relation to objects floating and sinking. 

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ARTS] VISA (5) 3 :

3) Communicate personal ideas, images, and themes through artistic choices of media, technique, and subject matter.

[SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

This is an art activity adding oil to watercolor paint to reinforce the concept that oil and water don't mix. Students will be shown that no matter how hard they try these two liquids will avoid each other at all costs. The oil will either float on top or through the watercolors or, if applied to the paper first, prevent the watercolors from absorbing into the paper. Students will be able to make real-world connections between this art activity and what happens during a real oil spill. 

This activity was created as a result of the Arts COS Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

In this lesson, students will be able to explain that the density of a substance has to do with how heavy it is compared to the size of the object. Students will also be able to explain that density is a characteristic property of a substance. Students are introduced to the concept of density and that density has to do with how heavy something is relative to its size. Students are also introduced to the idea that whether a substance sinks or floats in water is a characteristic property of that substance and does not depend on the amount of the substance. Students also learn that if an object is denser than water it will sink when placed in water, and if it is less dense than water it will float.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

In this lesson, students will be able to explain that the density of a liquid has to do with how heavy it is for the sample size. Students will also be able to explain that if a liquid is denser than water, it will sink when added to water, and if it is less dense than water, it will float. As a demonstration, the teacher will compare the weight of an equal amount or volume of water and corn syrup so students can observe that corn syrup is denser than water and sinks. Students will compare the weight of an equal amount or volume of water and vegetable oil and see that vegetable oil is less dense than water and floats. Students add corn syrup to layered oil and water and see the corn syrup sinks below both the oil and water.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 3 :

3 ) Examine matter through observations and measurements to identify materials (e.g., powders, metals, minerals, liquids) based on their properties (e.g., color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, solubility, density).

[SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

Students experiment with density by changing the density of water, in this activity from Zoom. Students will discover that the more salt there is in the water, the denser the water is. Density is one thing that makes things float. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (5) 5 :

5 ) Construct explanations from observations to determine how the density of an object affects whether the object sinks or floats when placed in a liquid.

In this audio clip, students ask the question: Does air have weight? This is a great clip to engage students in a discussion on mass and density.