5E Lesson Plan # 2

 

AUTHOR’S NAME:  Laura Cerda

TITLE OF THE LESSON:  Why are bubbles colorful and foam just plain white?

TECHNOLOGY LESSON:  No

DATE OF LESSON:  Wednesday

LENGTH OF LESSON: 1 hour

NAME OF COURSE: 3^rd Grade Science

SOURCE OF THE LESSON:  Bubbles, http://www.whitakercenter.org/Education/Curriculum %20 Guides/Grades%203-5/3-5%20Color%20and%20Light/Bubbles%20Pre.pdf

TEKS ADDRESSED:

112.5. Science, Grade 3--2(A) plan and implement descriptive investigations including asking well-defined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology

112.5. Science, Grade 3--2(B) collect information by observing and measuring

112.5. Science, Grade 3--2(C) analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence

112.5. Science, Grade 3--2(D) communicate valid conclusions

112.5. Science, Grade 3--3(A) analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information

CONCEPT STATEMENT: The rainbow colors seen in bubbles are caused by reflections and refractions.  Depending on the bubbles density, white light will either be absorbed or reflected.  Unlike foam, what you see is white because foam scatters light. Students should recognize characteristics of bubbles and foam because their uses are widespread and evident around them.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Students will be able to:

·         Explain why bubbles have a multi-colored appearance.

·         Explain why foam is white.

·         Demonstrate that white light contains waves of different colors.

RESOURCES:

What you need for one group station (There will be six stations):

ü      1 black or brown plastic trash bag (about 2’ by 3’)

ü      8 pieces of tagboard (approximately 8.5” x 11”)

ü      1 cottage cheese container

ü      1 pair of scissors

ü      1 glass prism

ü      1 flashlight

ü      6 pages of white paper

ü      1 dish pan

ü      2 whisks

ü      1 empty plastic cup

ü      4 small plastic magnifying glasses

ü      1 straw

ü      Newspapers/butcher paper/drop cloths

ü      Bubble solution

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: Students will be working with soap solution. It may get in their eyes and sting a bit, but it is not dangerous.  If this should happen to a student, they should blink their eyes, but not rub them. If a student continues to be bothered, they should go to the sink and wash their hands, then splash water in their eyes.

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS, HANDOUTS: Handouts are included at the end of the lesson plan

 

 

Engagement		Time: __10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Teacher will blow bubbles and ask students to observe the colors and changes to the bubbles.	Why are the bubbles multicolored?	Reflect all the colors in the room. [White light is refracted and reflected.]
	Why do the colors shift?	Angle of the bubble [As the thickness of the bubble wall changes, so do the colors we see.]

 

Exploration		Time:    10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Teacher will ask questions to make sure students understand the activity.	What is the very first thing that must be done? What are the “homes” on the materials list?	[All surfaces must be wet] [Circular enclosure made with tagboard]
Teacher will allow students to carefully observe bubble colors and patterns in small groups at their stations. (Activity 5 of the GEMS Guide)	What do you notice about the colors on the surface of the bubble?	[Rings or bands of color on the bubble.]
	What happened when you blew on the bubble?	[The colors swirled wildly.]
	Where are the colors coming from?	[White light]

 

Explanation		Time: _10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Teacher will explain white light by shining a flashlight through a glass prism.	What would happen if I shine a flashlight through a glass prism?	Yellow light on the wall [colored spectrum]
Teacher will allow students to use a flashlight and glass prism to write/draw what they see.	What colors are included in white light?	White [colored spectrum]

 

Elaboration		Time: __10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
To elaborate on what students have learned about light and bubbles, the teacher will have students look at foam.	What is foam?	[Foam is made up of tiny bubbles.]
	Will we be able to see rainbows in foam like we did in bubbles?	Yes[No]
	What happens when light shines on foam?	The same as before. We see all the colors.[Foam scatters light.]
	What color(s) do you see?	[White]

 

Evaluation		Time: __20 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Teacher will allow students to finish answering the questions from their handout in their journals.	(See handout for question list)
Students will turn in their journals when they are complete for the teacher to grade.	(See attached evaluation to assess student’s mastery)
The class will come together and discuss what was learned.

 

 

Bubble Colors and Bubble Foam

*Exploration

Stations: Class of approximately 30 students will be divided into 6 groups.

What you need:

ü      1 black or brown plastic trash bag (about 2’ by 3’)

ü      2 “homes” made out of tagboard

ü      1 cottage cheese container filled half way with bubble solution

ü      1 pair of scissors

ü      1 straw

 

What to do:

1.       All surfaces must be wet with bubble solution (hands, table, and straw).

2.       Blow just one table bubble.

3.       Put a bubble “home” around it.

4.       Watch the colors and patterns on the bubble until it pops.

 

Bubble Questions to answer in your journals:

1.      What colors and patterns do you see?

2.      What happens if you blow lightly on a bubble?

 

*Explanation

What you need:

ü      1 glass prism

ü      1 flashlight

ü      1 page of white paper per student

 

What to do:

1.       Each student will shine a flashlight through a glass prism and write down the colors they projected on a white piece of paper.

 

Questions to answer in your journals:

1.     What happened when you shined a flashlight through the glass prism?

2.     What colors are included in white light?

 

*Elaboration

What you need:

ü      1 dish pan

ü      2 whisks

ü      1 empty plastic cup

ü      4 small plastic magnifying glasses

 

What to do:

1.     In your dish pan you will find bubble solution. Use the wire whisks to make lots of foam.

2.     Fill a plastic cup with foam.

3.     Observe the foam using the small plastic magnifying glasses.

 

Questions to answer in your journals:

1.     What is foam?

2.     Were you able to see rainbows in the foam like you did in the bubbles?

3.     What happens when light shines on foam?

4.     What color(s) do you see?

 

**Finish your journal entry and turn it in. Be prepared to answer questions and discuss what you learned today in class.**