1. “Exploring the material world” Some physical properties of water…
Teaching kit
“Exploring the material world”
Some physical properties of water…

2. Some physical properties of water
Through simple experiments with water, children can discover some of its physical properties : pressure, the Archimedes principle and buoyancy.

3. Activity 10 : Some physical properties of water …
This activity can be performed with or without supervision.
In both cases the mediator will present the relevant activity sheets.
An activity not requiring supervision is one that can be started and carried out without the mediator being present.
The activity can be performed by one or more children, with or without the help of the family.

4. Activity 10 : water pressure
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Activity 10 : water pressure

5. - Tell me what you can see on the sheet
Question 1 :
- Tell me what you can see on the sheet
Sheet n° 10

6. Sheet n° 10
If the child takes a long time to answer, the question can be rephrased.

7. Say what you can see in the picture…
Sheet n° 10
Example of a prompt:
Say what you can see in the picture…
(while showing the glove on the hand, but out of the water, and the glove in the water).

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

9. Questions to ask the children:
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Questions to ask the children:
- Is the glove tight on your hand?
Now put your hand in the water:
- What can you feel?
- Can you move your fingers inside the glove?
- Is the glove tight on your hand?
- Can you move your fingers inside the glove?

10. Now put your hand in the water:
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Activity 10 : Water pressure
Side 1
Now put your hand in the water:
- What can you feel?
- Is the glove tight on your hand?
- Can you move your fingers inside the glove?
- Is the glove tight on your hand?
- Can you move your fingers inside the glove?

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

12. I can feel the pressure of the water…
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
I can feel the pressure of the water…

13. - Tell me what you can see on the sheet…
Question 1 :
- Tell me what you can see on the sheet…
Sheet n° 10
The glove is stuck to the hand.
The water exerts a force on the glove and sticks it to the hand.
That force – water pressure – can be felt on the hand.

14. Side 2 I can feel the pressure of the water…
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
I can feel the pressure of the water…
Side 2
The glove is stuck to the hand.
The water exerts a force on the glove and sticks it to the hand.
That force – water pressure – can be felt on the hand.
Water pressure
Water pressure

15. Children can illustrate the different stages in the experiment with drawings, notes and photos.
(these notes and observations can sometimes be made with the mediator and sometimes independently)

16. Drawing and pictures are an aid to discussion and to attempts at representation which are themselves new subjects of discussion.

17. Is the water pressure the same everywhere in the basin…
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Experiment 2:
Is the water pressure the same everywhere in the basin…
1. Blow with the straw at the surface of the water.
2. Blow at the bottom of the basin.
What happens?
What happens?

18. - Tell me what you can see on the sheet…
Question :
- Tell me what you can see on the sheet…
FICHE n° 10

19. - Say what you can see in the picture…
FICHE n° 10
Example of a prompt :
- Say what you can see in the picture…
(while showing the basins, the straws…)

20. Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Experiment 2 :
1. Blow with the straw at the surface of the water.
2. Blow at the bottom of the basin.
What happens?
What happens?

21. Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Experiment 2 :
Is the water pressure the same everywhere in the basin…
Side 3
1. Blow with the straw at the surface of the water.
2. Blow at the bottom of the basin.
What happens?
What happens?

22. What the first experiment shows:
You can make a lot of bubbles while hardly blowing.
It’s easy to make bubbles at the surface of the water.
The bubbles seem “light”.

23. What the second experiment shows:
You have to blow harder to make bubbles.
It’s more difficult to make bubbles at the bottom of the basin
The bubbles are bigger and make a duller sound.
They seem heavier.

24. Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water
Exploring the material world : some physical properties of water Sheet n° 10
Side 4
You have to blow harder to make bubbles.
It’s more difficult to make bubbles at the bottom of the basin.
The bubbles are bigger and make a duller sound.
They seem heavier.
You can make a lot of bubbles while hardly blowing.
It’s easy to make bubbles at the surface of the water.
The bubbles seem “light”.
The water pressure is greater at the bottom of the basin than at the surface and makes it more difficult for the air to come out of the straw.

25. Make a notebook with the children
The children will be able to note down each step in turn
- the water pressure felt on their hand through the glove
- the effect when they blow at the surface of the water
- the effect when they blow at the bottom of the water

26. 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.

27. the child should be able to…
recognise when water exerts a force (on the glove and sticks it to the hand);
2.describe the pressure of the water : it is greater at the bottom of the basin than at the top and makes it more difficult for the air to come out of the straw.
On completion of the activity
the child should be able to…