1. “Exploring the material world”
Teaching kit
“Exploring the material world”
Educational activities for Roma children and families

2. The water filter
The different aspects of the discovery of the material world can only be approached from real-life situations and observation satisfying children’s curiosity.

3. Activity 6 : How to make water clear
This activity can only be performed under the supervision of the mediator or another adult.
The mediator will begin by presenting the relevant activity sheet.

4. To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.
Exploring the material world  : The water filter Sheet n°6
Activity : How to make water clear
Dirty water
Clear water
To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.

5. To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.
Question 1 :
- Say what you see on this sheet!
Sheet n°6
Dirty water
Clear water
To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.

6. To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.
Sheet n°6
If the child takes a long time to answer, the question can be rephrased.
Dirty water
Clear water
To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.

7. To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.
Sheet n°6
Example of a prompt :
- Say what you can see in these pictures…
(while showing the jars and what is in them)
Dirty water
Clear water
To get clear water you have to allow it to settle and then filter it.

8. At nursery school, the important thing is that children should identify and name what they see.

9. The mediator will “read” each picture with the children…
Sand
3. Break the charcoal into small pieces.
Charcoal
Two buckets
The mediator will propose the children to turn over the sheet and see what kind of activity is proposed…. (cf. side 2).
2. Wash the sand 5 or 6 times : mix it with your hands.
1. Make a few holes in the bottom of one of the buckets. Check that the water can go through but not the sand.

10. Questions to ask the family :
Q 1 : Do you have two old buckets in your home?
(if not, they will have to be found elsewhere…)
Q 2 : Is there any sand and charcoal in the yard?

11. All these experiments are aids to discussion and to attempts at representation ( with drawing and pictures), which are themselves new subjects of discussion

12. Stage 1
1. You will need to make a few holes in the bottom of one of the buckets. You will also need to check that the water can go through but not the sand.
1. Make a few holes in the bottom of one of the buckets. Check that the water can go through but not the sand.
Two buckets

13. Step 2 2. Wash the sand 5 or 6 times: mix it with your hands..
3. Break the charcoal into small pieces.
Charcoal
3. Break the charcoal into small pieces.

14. Cleaning the filter before using it for the first time
Each picture will be described…
6. Add a layer of sand up to 10 cm from the edge of the bucket.
The filter is finished
5. Place a layer of sand 5 cm thick in the bottom of the bucket and cover it with a layer of charcoal 8 cm thick.
The mediator will suggest looking at the next stage in this activity….
(cf 2nd sheet).
Cleaning the filter before using it for the first time
The water should start to run into the bottom bucket, at the rate of roughly half a litre per hour.
At first the water will probably be black, containing a lot of charcoal dust.
After about an hour the water will become clear.

15. Step 3
5. Place a layer of sand 5 cm thick in the bottom of the bucket and cover it with a layer of charcoal 8 cm thick.
6. Add a layer of sand up to 10 cm from the edge of the bucket. + =
The filter is ready

16. Organising, looking after and observing things are a unique resource for verbal expression and interaction, even for the youngest and most reserved children.

17. NB: clear water is not always fit to drink.
Exploring the material world  : The water filter Sheet n°6
Pour the dirty water gently into the filter.
The bottom bucket will fill up with clean water.
Using the filter
First make sure that the water poured into the filter has been left to settle for long enough.
Then pour the dirty water gently into the filter. The bottom bucket will fill up with clean water.
The mediator will suggest looking at the final stage in this activity…
Maintaining the filter
The charcoal needs to be replaced more or less every fortnight. The pollutants gradually contaminate it.
NB: clear water is not always fit to drink.

18. In the course of these exchanges with the adult, an orderly pattern of questioning, clear representations and, ultimately, knowledge will take shape.

19. Using the filter
How to make water clear
The dirty water must first be allowed to settle.
This means allowing the water to rest so that the dirt in it is deposited at the bottom of the jar.

20. NB: clear water is not always fit to drink.
Using the filter
The bottom bucket will fill up with clean water.
Pour the dirty water gently into the filter.
NB: clear water is not always fit to drink.

21. Maintaining the filter
The charcoal needs to be replaced roughly every fortnight. The pollutants gradually contaminate it.

22. Make a notebook with the children
They will be able to note down the main stages for making a water filter
- preparing the necessary equipment,
- checking that the equipment works,
- completing the water filter.

23. Réaliser avec l’enfant un cahier d’observations
The written recording of observations (dictated to an adult) helps to memorise knowledge, become aware of relationships in space and time and identify causal links.
Les enfants pourront marquer les étapes principales de la culture d’une plante
- préparation des graines,
- plantation,
- suivi de la croissance (lumière, eau, température, tuteur…)

24. They will be able to illustrate what they have learnt at each stage with drawings, notes and photos.
(these notes and observations can sometimes be made with the mediator and sometimes independently)

25. All these experiments are an aid to discussion and to attempts at representation, and help to memorise knowledge and identify causal links.

26. children should be able to…
remember the stages in the construction of a water filter ;
distinguish between clear and dirty water;
recognise the settling process.
On completion of the activity
children should be able to…