1. Why do some things float and other things sink?

2. 1. Exploration What floated and what sank? Was this what you expected?
What surprised you?
Can you agree on an idea or ‘rule’ about why things float or sink?
What evidence do you have to support your idea or rule? What evidence is there against it?

3. 2. Heavy or light: does it matter?
What happened to the object that felt heavier? What happened to the object that felt lighter? Was this what the person with their eyes shut predicted?
What evidence does this give you about why some things float and other things sink?
Do you need to change your ideas or your rule?

4. 3. Candles What surprised you about what happened with the candles?
Does this make you want to change your ideas about why some things float and other things sink?
What evidence are you using to support your ideas?
Does everyone in your group agree?

5. 4. Keeping the sandwiches dry
What did you do that worked? Why did it work?
What did you do that did not work? Why did it not work?
How did you use what you know about floating and sinking to help you?
Has your group improved their ideas?

6. 5. Dancing raisins
What do you notice about the raisins when they are rising up through the lemonade?
Is this different from when they are falling down through the lemonade?
Why do you think the raisins go up and down?
Does your group agree on an explanation?
How does this help you understand why some things float and other things sink?

7. 6. Back to the start and future learning
How have your ideas changed today?
What progress have you made with your understanding of why some things float and other things sink?
What arguments have you used to explain your point of view or idea?
What other evidence would help you understand better?