Volume

The children have been exploring materials in our sensory bin, such as rice and water. We had the children explore the characteristics of rice with different sized graduated cylinders.  Then, we had the children observe the characteristics of water with different water tools.  After, we had the children looking at 3 different graduated cylinder of different sizes, but with the same amount of water.  We had the children make observations.  All the children thought that the graduated cylinder #2 had the most water and #3 had the less water.  We explained to the children that all the graduated cylinders had the same amount of water.  After more discussion, we concluded that the graduated cylinder #2 was narrower so the water had to move higher in it and the graduated cylinder #3 was wider so the water occupied more space at the bottom.

 

Later, we put two vases with water at the same level.  We asked the children "Which vase has more water?"  On our observation sheet, they checked vase 1 or 2 and explained "Why?"  Here are their observations:




Colin: #1because it is bigger.
Aiden: #1 because it is bigger.
Christina: #2 because it is taller.
Jackson: #2 because it is taller.
Antonio: #2 because vase #1 is flat.
Alessa: #1 because #2 is smaller.
Tammy: #1 because #1 has more room.
Tianna: #1 because the water in #1 is growing.
Nahisha: #2 because #1 has lesser water.
Alessio: #1 because it is wider.
James: #2 because it has more water at the bottom.
Kaitlyn: #1 because the vase is bigger.

We asked the children how we could measure the amount of water in each vase.  Ben said: "We can take measuring cups." Giuliana M. said: "we can take a big cup with lines and measure how much water and less water there is."

Ben and Giuliana measured the amount of water in each vase and found out that vase #1 had 400ml and vase #3 300ml.  They explained to the class how they came to those results.

Ben's results

Giuliana M.'s results