A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively
engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.
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Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:
This learning activity will be a whole group demonstration. Either print or share the jumping paper? document with the students. The teacher will explain that the balloon will come in close contact with the small pieces of paper, but will not touch them. Have a student volunteer to come up so that they may assist with the charging of the balloon. Explain that their hair will get messy and that you will have to rub the balloon on their hair. Allow the students to make predictions before the demonstration, and then write their observations and make explanations after the demonstration. The teacher will then lead a class discussion on what happened and introduce several topics, including fields and non-contact forces. Possible discussion questions include:
What would happen if we didn't rub the balloon on someone's head?
What other materials could we use to charge the balloon?
Does the amount of rubbing or "charging" of the balloon affect how much paper is picked up, how closely the balloon has to be to pick the paper up, or how quickly it is picked up?
Assessment Strategies:
Assess student understanding through class discussion and written answers on the jumping paper document. The teacher may use this to probe student understanding of the topic and guide future lessons.
Advanced Preparation:
The teacher will need to tear several small pieces of paper. The dots in a hole puncher are a perfect size and work well for this demonstration. Blow up the balloon, and make sure to have extras in case it pops. Either print or share the document with students.
Variation Tips (optional):
The teacher can vary the size of the balloon, the size of the paper pieces, and the material that is used to charge the balloon. The teacher can also use a balloon that isn't "charged" and allow the students to compare the two. The class could also test to see if the amount of time "charging" or rubbing the balloon affect the strength of the field.
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
This will mess up the hair of the student that volunteers. Longer hair "charges" the balloon better.
Keywords and Search Tags:
electric fields, forces, noncontact forces, Static electricity