What
Dissolves?
FREEBIE!
Science Experiment
for Kids
by
Sue Cahalane
Science for Kids
©2013suecahalane
What Dissolves? Lab
This is a fun, easy science experiment that I use to introduce my little ones to
the concepts of predicting and experimenting. I set up 10 different solids on a table
in my classroom- sand, salt, sugar, baking soda, a spice such as oregano or pepper,
drink mix (Kool Aid, etc), flour, coffee and baby powder. We discuss the word
“dissolving” and we come up with a good working definition: if it “disappears”, it
dissolved. Then I ask my students to predict which solids they think will dissolve in
water. We record our predictions (see worksheets). I then let the children carry out
the experiments themselves. Everyone works with a partner and they take turns
deciding which solid to test. They add a scoop of solid to water, stir and record
results. Students then dump the contents into a "garbage bowl", clean out the cup a
bit with water, then add more water to the cup & experiment with a different solid. It
is a very independent experiment- I have a classroom of scientists predicting and
experimenting at their own pace. They do not have to follow any order of testing the
solids- they choose what they would like to experiment with. They love being
scientists! It is great to watch the children learn, explore and discover on their own!
Why do some things dissolve? Using salt (sodium chloride) as an example, water
molecules surround salt molecules & cause them to break apart into sodium &
chlorine ions. This is called dissolving. Since my 1st graders would find this a little
hard to understand, I tell them that the salt is "holding hands" very tightly but once
the salt "goes swimming"- the hands let go. If the hands let go, dissolving occurs. If
the "hands" hold on tight & do not let go- no dissolving occurs!
©2013suecahalane
Name ____________________________________
What Dissolves?
________________ ________________ ________________
PREDICT! PREDICT! PREDICT!
Will it dissolve? Will it dissolve? Will it dissolve?
. . .
YES YES YES
NO NO NO
EXPERIMENT! EXPERIMENT! EXPERIMENT!
Did it dissolve?. Did it dissolve?. Did it dissolve?.
YES YES YES
NO NO NO
©2013suecahalane
TEACHERS:
Fill in the blanks with the substances you will be using in this lab!
salt
________________ sugar
________________ sand
________________
PREDICT! PREDICT! PREDICT!
Will it dissolve? Will it dissolve? Will it dissolve?
. . .
YES YES YES
NO NO NO
EXPERIMENT! EXPERIMENT! EXPERIMENT!
Did it dissolve?. Did it dissolve?. Did it dissolve?.
YES YES YES
NO NO NO
©2013suecahalane
Thank you!
Thank you so much for visiting my TpT store & downloading this freebie!
I hope you and your students enjoy the hands-on science activities.
Sue Cahalane
Science Teacher
Grades PK – 4
katehadfielddesigns.com
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This unit was designed by me and is for your personal (one user)use. You may
not share it or claim it as your own. You may not redistribute it.
If colleagues are interested in it, please send them the link to my store:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Science-For-Kids
• You are not permitted to use any part of this packet to
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Copyright © 2015 Susan Cahalane
All rights reserved by author.
